In Memoriam

September 16, 1920 – April 16, 2015

Erv Krieg, father of Tom and Lee, grandfather to Natalie, Kyle and Ben, passed in his home after a brief illness. He is survived by Edith, his wife of 73 years, 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Erv was a maker long before the term was ever coined and was instrumental in bringing life to The Manufactory. He not only provided the building we occupy and financial support, but, more importantly he gave us guidance, moral support, and an undeniable work ethic that he instilled in us. Even at the age of 94 he often came here to work. The scooter that he rode was not the last gasp of a doddering old man, he made it a mobile toolbox that allowed him to move quickly from place to place, improving the space for our members. As recently as few weeks ago he was working towards adding sewing equipment to our offerings. Whether you knew him or not, Erv had a big part in making your experience at The Manufactory better. We will miss him dearly.

Factoids about Erv

• At the age of 12 he operated his first business from the basement of his family’s home in Cheviot. The Krieg Press Company (It’s still around, next to Ron’s Roost on the West Side).
• Was one of Fred and Katherine Krieg’s 13 children.
• Graduated from Printing High School.
• Worked as a machinist making parts for X-ray machines in the early 1940’s.
• With help, he freed the world from tyranny by running a mobile machine shop on the back of a 2½ ton truck during World War II.
• Learned construction by working alongside his Father-in-Law in the post-war building boom. Erv used these skills to build a total of 5 homes for his family, plus more remodels, additions and swimming pools than can be counted.
• Was Vice President of the Western Hills Press during the heyday of community newspapers in the 1950’s.
• In 1962 he purchased the Blumenthal-Hamilton Printing Company. Under his guidance the 3 man shop grew to become Lee Corp. Printers, a major player in Cincinnati with 35 employees.
• Was instrumental in designing and building the production equipment for Save the Gonads, a medical device manufactured at The Manufactory.
• He loved going to auctions.
• He and Edith traveled the globe visiting scores of countries on 6 continents.
• Fixed more things during his lifetime than most of us have ever broken.
• After living such a full life, in 2012, when his sons approached him with the idea of creating The Manufactory, his attitude was, “Why not start over at 92!”
• At the age of 92, Erv survived being crushed by a tractor.  After CPR, an AirCare ride, 6 broken ribs, a broken wrist and a week in the hospital, he returned home battered and bruised but still with us.
• He continues to give. Erv donated his body to medical science.

Celebration of Life

Sunday, May 3rd, 2015
Noon — 3 pm
The Farm
239 Anderson Ferry Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45238

Memorials

Aaron W. Perlman Center
(Supports children with Cerebral Palsy)
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Medical Center
P.O. Box 5202
Cincinnati, OH 45201-5202
Donate

Hospice of Cincinnati, Inc.
P.O. Box 633597
Cincinnati, OH 45263-3597
Donate