In Memoriam: Jeffrey Krys
Classical 89.5, KMFA sadly announces the passing of former General Manager, Jeffrey Krys. Mr. Krys passed away early the morning of April 12th, 2010, at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. A radio veteran of 30 years, Mr. Krys was General Manager of KMFA from 1996 to 2005 and previously held the position of Director of Operations & Engineering with WGUC in Cincinnati, Ohio.
At the time of his departure from KMFA, Mr. Krys stated: “In the nine years since I’ve been in Austin and at KMFA, I have learned much about our artistic and business community and had the great pleasure of working in a vibrant, ever-changing environment. I am grateful for the time I spent here doing what I enjoy – working in public radio, supporting the arts and listening to classical music while doing so."
In his tenure at KMFA, Mr. Krys both upgraded and doubled the size of the station’s facilities. He established ongoing Spring and Fall membership drives, supported the creation of "Classical Austin" by then Program Director Randy Harriman – a weekly program that highlights the diversity of Austin's classical arts community, and lengthened the broadcast day to 24 hours. In 1997 Mr. Krys added a satellite receiver in order to carry the live Metropolitan Opera broadcasts and to connect KMFA to the public radio system. He also built Studio 2000, KMFA's live performance and recording studio, and moved the station's antenna to a higher location to increase the reach of KMFA’s signal and prepare it for digital radio.
Said current KMFA General Manager, Joan Kobayashi: “Jeff will always be remembered and held in high regard for the role he played in the evolution of this station. He did his very best in service to KMFA’s listeners, staff and the Central Texas community. He was a very good man and our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.” Current KMFA Board Chairman Steve Moore remembers: "Jeff was a kind, loyal, and diligent advocate for KMFA and the arts in Austin, Texas.”
According to Mr. Krys’s sister, Sandra Ashton-Phillips, cause of death was c. diff. colitis (clostridium difficile colitis) – a bacterial infection he acquired while in the hospital. Services for Mr. Krys were scheduled for Thursday, April 15th at 11:00 am at Mount Sinai Memorial Park, 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, Hollywood Hills, CA 90068. For more information about the services, call 800-600-0076.
Mr. Krys's family has requested that memorial gifts be sent to either WGUC-FM or CCM’s Electronic Media Division (Formerly known as the Broadcasting Division when Jeff was there):
WGUC-FM Radio: ATTN: Sheri Mancini, 1223 Central Parkway, Cincinnati OH 45214; checks payable to WGUC-FM, or you can do it online here. (There’s a "notes" column where you can indicate the gift is in memory of Jeff.) Questions: Call Sheri Mancini at 513-241-5757.
CCM: ATTN: Kit H. Anderson, Director of Development and External Relations, College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati PO Box 210003, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0003, 513.556.4441; Checks payable to University of Cincinnati Foundation, with memo line on check: ”Electronic Media Division, memorial for Jeff Krys.” Here’s is the UC Foundation site. Gifts will get back to CCM.
