Obituary of Robert Andrew Krantz

Robert “Andy” Andrew Krantz, age 66, died Friday, November 10, 2017 at his Bedford residence with his wife and son by his side.  Born in Bedford on Thursday, May 31, 1951, he was the youngest child of the late John Clifton Krantz, Jr. and Cordie Rosella Krantz. In addition to his parents, Andy was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Joseph Lee Krantz and Mary “Mollie” Voyd Maxey, and paternal grandparents, John Clifton Krantz, Sr. and Bessie Ruth Anson.

A 1969 graduate of Liberty High School, Andy attended Central Virginia Community College while working part-time. May 1973, Andy was employed by Powell’s Truck and Equipment in Lynchburg, an International truck dealership. First working in the parts department, he later became a part of the sales team and in time became Vice President and a partner in the company. Customers jokingly referred to Andy as being one of the Powell sons; he considered the co-owners and employees his second family. Andy retired from Powell’s Truck in May 2017, having spent 44 successful years with the company.

Just like his father, Andy had an appreciation of firearms. In 1994, he joined a small shooting club in Bedford county. He and several members established the Bedford Rifle and Revolver Club. Through involvement with the BRRC, Andy became experienced in competitive pistol shooting and attained the ranking of High Master in 2012. He holds 17 national records recognized by the National Rifle Association. Andy competed in the prestigious NRA Bianchi Cup National Championship in Columbia, Missouri, for many years, having won second place in the Senior Division in 2013, 2014, and 2015. In 2014, he attained first place Senior Division at the NRA Action Pistol World Championship at Park City, Kentucky, and was invited to be a member of the USA shooting team to compete in the 2016 World Championship in New Zealand. Unfortunately, Andy’s illness precluded his opportunity to travel with the team last November. He last competed in April 2017 at the NRA Crawfish Cup Action Pistol Championship, Lake Charles, Louisiana, where he took second place in the Senior Division, firing a 99% score.

Andy was an active member of Bonsack Baptist Church, the Bedford Breakfast Lion’s Club, Liberty Masonic Lodge No. 95, and the Bedford Rifle and Revolver Club. “Grandy,”as he was fondly called by his grandchildren, found his greatest joy in spending time with his family and friends, cruising in his 1940 Ford coupe hot rod, sharing his knowledge of guns and gun safety with young people, and watching Virginia Tech football. He was a man of unwavering faith as was evidenced by all who witnessed his determination and positive attitude throughout his year-long illness. By all accounts, Andy was an example of how to “do it right.”

Andy is survived by his wife of 45 years, Ginger Gross Krantz; son, Nathan Andrew Krantz and wife, Zoe; two grandchildren, Ryan Andrew and Abigail Grace, all of Ashburn, VA; two sisters, Joyce Horne and husband, Larry of Smith Mountain Lake; Saundra Smith of Pittsburgh, PA; one brother, Clifton “Buck” Krantz and wife, Minerva of Bedford. Also surviving are nephews, Jason Horne (Sandra); Ted Horne (Heather); Adam Krantz (Kelly); Christopher Gardner (Jennifer); and Jeremy Gardner; nieces, Athena Stanley (Tim); Amanda Kile (Brian); Meaghan Carreras (Adam); and Jessica Smith-Amara (Wess). Also surviving are a special brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ricky and Gail Gardner, as well as his mother-in-law, Regina Gross. He was preceded in death by his father-in-law and hunting partner, Buford Gross.

The family extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Linda Beahm and Stephanie Hess of the Bedford Hospice Care. Dr. Beahm and Nurse Stephanie were exemplary caregivers and provided invaluable support for the family and whose friendship will be forever remembered. Appreciation to Dr. April Salama and Ashley Haller, NP, of the melanoma division of the Duke Cancer Center, and Dr. David Smith of Access Healthcare, for their exceptional care. A debt of gratitude is extended to family and friends, work partners and business associates for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout Andy’s year-long battle with cancer.

A celebration of Andy’s life will be conducted at 2 p.m on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at Bonsack Baptist Church, 4845 Cloverdale Road, Roanoke, VA, with Dr. Chris Cadenhead, Dr. Robert Moore, and the Rev. Mark Beck officiating. A Service of Masonic Rites by Liberty Masonic Lodge  No. 95 will be held at 1:45 PM on Saturday, November 18, and the family will receive friends from 2 until 5 PM at Updike Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Bedford.   At Andy’s request, should you wish to honor his memory, please consider memorials to Bedford Centra Hospice Care, 1621 Whitfield Drive, Bedford, VA 24523, or the Music Ministry of Bonsack Baptist Church, 4845 Cloverdale Road, Roanoke, VA 24019.