Douglas David Krogel

Douglas David Krogel, 63, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2026, surrounded by family and loved ones after a courageous 3 year battle with cancer.

Doug was born in Spokane, Washington, the fourth of seven children. His early years were spent in Spokane Valley. Doug always loved the outdoors and had an adventurous spirit from racing on his bike to jumping off bridges, and in his later years, racing his wheelchair downhill on the hills of Seattle.

Doug was most comfortable in the tranquility of the countryside. His Grandpa Rainey held a special place in Doug’s heart, and he loved spending time in the quiet of grandpa’s cabin on Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho. As a boy, Doug spent time at Grandpa’s side helping build a bunkhouse above the boathouse so that all of the kids would have a place to sleep, and it was from Grandpa he learned his craftsmanship. Doug learned the joy of working with his hands, and was known to his family as a fine craftsman and finisher of wood.

Doug graduated from Ocasta High School in Westport, Washington, and enlisted in the Air Force after graduation. In December of 1982 he left for Lackland Air Force Base in Texas where he received training in munitions maintenance. His longest tour was in Italy, although he was stationed throughout Europe and Asia. While he appreciated his opportunity to see the world, he especially enjoyed the beauties of Italy, and acquired some original paintings of Italian scenes that he carried home with him upon leaving the service.

After serving six years and attaining the rank of Sergeant, Doug was medically discharged after a hazardous ingestion of sulphuric acid followed by a subsequent shattering of his knee which resulted in an honorable discharge due to a permanent medical disability. After returning to the States, he found himself in the Seattle/Tacoma area and held an assortment of jobs, his favorites being working as a metallurgist at Hexcel industries, and later as a courier, which afforded him the opportunity to drive long hours as a way of escaping the bustle of the city. Doug always loved to drive and could drive all day long; he knew every nook and cranny of the metropolis of Seattle.

In 1988 he married Vicky (Molzahn) Reed in Kent, and actively co-parented her children Jessica and Jeffrey until their divorce in 2004.

It was at this time that fate brought him to Cascade Court Apartments in Seattle where he met Betty Gasparovic, his loving wife of 14 years. The two of them immediately bonded over their shared trauma of living with PTSD, and somehow found strength in helping each other overcome their individual anxieties. Over the years, their friendship blossomed into something deeper, and they were married on August 4, 2012, by his elder brother Rev. Steve Southerland underneath the roar of the Blue Angels in an outdoor wedding attended by close friends and family.

What began as a deep friendship grew into a lifetime commitment of love and courage despite the various health issues and tragedies each have faced. That courage was most evident when on September 29, 2023, shortly after undergoing a chemo treatment at the VA, Douglas, in his wheelchair, confronted a man with a hammer attacking an elderly woman at the Beacon Hill light rail station, and helped save her life by putting himself in harm's way.

Douglas was a quiet man who preferred the silence of the deep forest, but came to appreciate the greetings of strangers at the corner park where he and Betty would routinely be found feeding the birds. He had a beautiful smile and a generous spirit and loved life and family with all his heart.

He was grateful to have found a place at Fred Lind Manor, where he was able to live out his remaining years battling cancer alongside his wife Betty while sharing daily dinners and activities with residents and caring staff that quickly became friends. Since his diagnosis of cancer three years ago, Doug and Betty have built themselves a family where Doug not only felt cared for, but could pass on knowing his wife would not be left without a loving community to help her through the rough time she would face without him by her side.

Doug is survived by his loving wife Betty (Gasparovic) Krogel, brothers Steve (Lura) Southerland, Daniel (Cristal) Southerland, Blake Krogel and sister Pamela (Krogel) Wellington, and was predeceased by his parents Robert and Janell (Rainey) Krogel, and sisters Susan Southerland and Robyn (Krogel) Clemetson.

Douglas David Krogel

November 22, 1962-September 6, 2026

Forever loving, forever loved

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Link to donate: https://transformingage.org/community/fred-lind-manor/donate/

- Care Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home Lake View -