Former Finance Commissioner Rudolph E. Krigger Sr. died Tuesday on St. Thomas after a long illness. He was 76. Krigger served as finance commissioner during the administrations of former Govs. Alexander Farrelly and Roy L. Schneider. He retired from government service in 2000.
Krigger served numerous roles in the local government, including that of financial advisor to former Gov. Charles Turnbull. He also served as campaign manager for the campaign of Turnbull and his running mate, Gerard "Luz" James II.
"He was my friend, fraternal brother and high school classmate from the Charlotte Amalie High School Class of 1952," Turnbull said in a press release issued Tuesday.
Senate President Louis Hill indicated that in addition to his job as finance commissioner and financial advisor, he was the assistant director at the Office of Management and Budget, a delegate to a Constitutional Convention and on the staff of the V.I. National Guard.
"Rudy felt called to serve and this simply meant to serve the public in whatever capacity he was asked for a betterment of the community," Hill said.
Krigger also served on the board of the West Indian Co. Ltd.
Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone noted that Krigger was also a soldier, an executive assistant to late Lt. Gov. Henry A. Millin.
"Sadly, today the Virgin Islands mourns a distinguished native son who dedicated his life to improving the quality of life of all residents in numerous fields of endeavor," Malone said.
Former Sen. James O’Bryan called Krigger a principled person. "He was my first supervisor I ever had in government," said O’Bryan, who worked with Krigger at Government House.
Krigger is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marilyn Krigger, and son, Rudolph Krigger Jr.
Funeral services are pending, but Marilyn Krigger said it will be held late next week.
