Most knew him as Back Up Bob, or Two Step Eddie, but there are a lot of things most didn’t know about the Puyallup man with the herky jerky walk and the need to take two steps forward and one step back.
His full name was Edward George Krause and he had a twin brother named Ernie. Krause died at age 77 of cancer.
The twins were born on December 18, 1930, in Montana. They lived with their parents until they reached their 20s, and then spent 10 years at the Rainier School. At one time, they were both married. They lived independently here in Puyallup. They had some help now and then, but basically they lived on their own.
On Saturday, April 12, a warm, loving group of folks gathered at Peace Lutheran Church in Puyallup to mourn, laugh and remember the life of Eddie Krause. There was no shortage of tears that day, but there was also a lot of laughter and tributes to a nice, gentle man.
Pastor Ron Kempe led the congregation in the celebration of Krause’s life. He started out by saying what a beautiful day it was, “a good day for a walk, and there is even a parade,” he said, referring to the Daffodil Parade.
For 10 years Krause attended the “Lunch with a Friend” program at Peace Lutheran. He had many friends there. Krause also loved the Puyallup Farmers’ Market.
Krause suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder, thus his need to take a few steps back each time he took a few steps forward.
“It calmed his mind to do that,” said Bonnie Goddard, a longtime friend.
Krause had a good memory and his face was an open invitation. He always greeted everyone with a wide smile.
Neighbors Ann Marie and Daniel Morfenski said they were blessed to have moved next door to Krause and his brother.
“We were put there for a reason,” Daniel Morfenski said. “He taught us a lot. We would sit on the front porch and talk for hours.”
Krause sometimes opened and closed his bedroom window hundreds of times while trying to carry on a conversation and Daniel Morfenski said it was a challenge, but worth the effort.
Chuck Fitzgerald said he met Krause 20 years ago.
“When my life got crazy, I would just look for Eddie and he always put a good twist on things,” he said.
Krause liked old cars and model trains. He could identify the type, year and model of most every car on the road. He accepted his limitations gracefully and without question or anger.
When Kempe visited Krause in the nursing home, Krause sent food home with him to give to his twin brother. He always worried about other folks more than himself.
The audience was filled with teenagers and homeless folks, housewives, moms and dads and local artists. Everyone had something wonderful to say about this kind man. No one felt sorry for the life Krause had led and most folks felt they had learned something from him.
Steelhead Marv, who is homeless, wiped his eyes several times during the service.
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