Stevens Institute of Technology - Link Yearbook (Hoboken, NJ)

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Charles Frederick Kroeh URING l1er half century of existence Stevens has brought to the fore many striking careers, many careers of renown. But of them all what could be more picturesque, what could be more unique, than that of being actively, intimately, and sincerely associated with her faculty throughout its fifty long years of existence! Verily, to witness the growth of an institution from a mere untried experiment and to see it blossom forth into one of the finest and foremost tcclmical colleges of the land. and at the same time be instrumental in its growth and progress, is indeed an ex- perience to be envied! Yet it is our pleasure and privilege to have among our ranks today a friend and professor who has lived through these periods of progress and has fully contributed his share to make possible the Stevens of today. When he was comparatively young, the adaptability of his mind to the sciences and the languages attracted tl1e attention of his associates, and ere long he was the possessor of an instruetorship at Lehigh, where., in addition to French and German, he perfected himself in the Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese languages. The scientific and the linguistic ability of this per- sonality pre-eminently qualified him to instruct in foreign languages at an engineering college, and so it was that in 1871 Professor Kroeh attached himself to President Morton's faculty, and from theneeforth he has been a part of Stevens. From the start Professor Kroeh assumed the position as head of the Department of Languages as well as that of Secretary to the Faculty, in both of which ofiiees he has fiourished up to the present day. The compara- tively limited enrollment of students in the early days of Stevens afforded him an opportunity to devote time to the sciences so dear to him and to fre- quently lecture on scientific topics, as well as to contribute articles on similar subjects to the various periodicals. Throughout all these early years Pro- fessor Kroeh also dclved into the all-absorbing realm of modern languages and the attending methods of teaching them, with the result that at the end of his first quarter of a century at the Stute and after exhaustive research his novel textbooks, of which How to Think in Spanish is the most familiar, appeared in three foreign languages, and at the time proved quite a sensation. . Two score and ten years of constant teaching-a half century in an atmosphere where his own ideas predominate-tend to make a man set in conviction and obstinate in views. Yet in the face of such environment Pro- fessor Kroeh has alwavs maintained an open mind-always been quick to Seven

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perceive an improvement and cheerfully to welcome criticism of the con- structive type. Ifurthermore, he has always possessed that rare mental equilibrium of being awake to things beyond his own limited sphere, and, in addition, has a mind broad enough to keep astride with the changes of time. - In respect to the student and his career at college Professor Kroeh has some well-defined ideas. From his viewpoint student activities are on a par with scholastic attainments, and to him a student who neglects to avail him- self of the extra-curriculum functions of the college is ust as much a failure as he who is derelict in his studies. For a man of his age and position he is surprisingly well versed in matters pertaining to the collegiate sport world, and has read treatises on athletics in a number of foreign tongues. In all his doings with the students he is most congenial, and instead of ye olde sage, plays the part of a friend, gives much fatherly advice, displays his own pleasant sense of humor, and is a chum to all whom he may meet. His serene manner and gentle ways have done much to make life at the Stute worth while, and, at heart, Pop Kroeh is revered by all students. The same sort of wholesome ideas that characterize the man in his pro- fessional career also prevail in his clean and simple private life. Outdoor life appeals to him and many of his leisure hours are spent in the open, where he finds diversion in his chicken farm, and where, to this day, he displays a fondness for bicycle riding, to which he attributes much of his good health and longevity. Moderation in all things is his watchwordg he never allows himself to become excited and does but one thing at a time- and that in his own peculiar way. For a man past the three score and ten mark, his physique is unusually robust and throughout his fifty years at Stevens Professor Kroeh has never been seriously ill, and consequently a half century of uninterrupted service is his record at the Institute. Such is the man who throughout her entire existence has been a part of Stevens-a man in whom virtue itself seems to be personified. Fifty years of service, faithful and unwavering,.iifty of the best and most fertile years of his life, is the gift of this Grand Old Man to Stevens. Indeed, his life is gentle, and the elements so mixed in him, that nature might stand up and say to all the world, This is a man. In affection we praise him, and in reverence we obey him. Professor Charles Frederick Kroeh, you have wrought well. Te saludamos. lfiylil