The Rev. Canon Walter L. Krieger

The Reverend Canon Walter L. Krieger, age 83, formerly of Reading and of Phoebe Berks Village, died peacefully November 15, 2023, in Wernersville, PA.

He was the husband of the late Judith L. (Friel) Krieger. They married in 1961.

Born in Shamokin, PA, he was the son of the late Walter C. Krieger and Ethel B. (Haas) Krieger.

Rev. Krieger attended Cape May Public High School and graduated from Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, PA in 1957. He was a 1961 graduate of Wheaton College with a BA in English and Johns Hopkins University, MA,1962 in Creative Writing. In 1965 he was a graduate of Philadelphia Divinity School, earning his MDiv. He completed course work from the University of Pennsylvania in Doctoral Studies as a National Episcopal Church Fellow.

He began his professional career at Grace Episcopal Church, Merchantville, NJ from 1965-68; Trinity Episcopal Church, Moorestown, NJ, while serving as Adjunct Professor of Preaching at Philadelphia Divinity School; St. James Episcopal Church, Wooster, OH from 1973-79, where he was also the chair of the Diocesan Leadership Training Program and chair of the Christian Education Department of the Diocese of Ohio. Rev. Krieger served as Rector of Christ Church, Reading, from 1979 until his retirement in 2003. While at Christ Church he served the Diocese of Bethlehem as President of the Standing Committee (10 years president, 14 year board member); member of the Diocesan Council; workshop and retreat leader, parish consultant; spiritual director; and, together with his wife, led workshops and retreats in spirituality and art.

Rev. Krieger was named honorary Canon of the diocese by the Bishop in 2001.

He was a board member of Planned Parenthood, founding member of Rainbow Home, president of the Board of Berks Classical Children's Choir (now Berks Youth Chorus), a member of Reading Council of Churches and of the Berks Art Alliance.

On the national level, Canon Krieger served as a five-time elected deputy to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. He was a member of the board and vice president of the National Academy of Preachers, and Dean of the annual Mid-Atlantic Episcopal Leadership Training Conference.

Following retirement, Rev. Krieger served as Associate Priest at The Church of the Mediator, Allentown, and at St. Alban's Church, Sinking Spring. He also maintained a private practice as a spiritual director. He was a member of Spiritual Directors International.

His hobbies included music, painting, writing, traveling, and Jungian dream studies.

Walter is survived by his children, daughter Rachel S. (Krieger) Eck, wife of Andrew P. Eck, Topton, and son Joel N, Krieger, husband of Lorise Chow Krieger, Bethlehem. One granddaughter, Sophia Krieger, also survives him. He was predeceased by his wife Judith who died December 31, 2021.

The Krieger family would like to thank the entire staff of Phoebe Berks, especially the HCC staff, for taking such wonderful care of our father while he was under your care.

Services will be held December 9, 2023, at 11am, at Christ Episcopal Church, Reading, PA. There will be a luncheon at the church following the service. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Berks Youth Chorus (https://www.berksyouthchorus.org/about/), St. Alban's Church, Christ Episcopal Church, or the Phoebe Berks Benevolence Fund (https://phoebe.org/giving/). Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc. West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.