Lorin Krusberg

Lorin Krusberg, of Lanham, MD passed quietly at home on February 26, 2025 from natural causes. 

Lorin was preceded in death by his parents John Krusberg and Bertha Krusberg (nee Bernstein); siblings Norma Locke, Nell Thomas and Roy Krusberg; wife Betty Joan Krusberg (nee Kirk) and daughter Susan Joan Real. He is survived by his son John (Jack) Lorin Krusberg and his fiancee’ Beth Karageorge; son Michael Charles Krusberg; grandsons John Real (Elizabeth), Kevin Real (Danielle) and Matthew Krusberg; and great grandchildren Theodore (Teddy), James and Chloe. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Lorin was born at home in East Dover, VT. In 1939 he and his family moved to a small farm outside of Elkton, MD. Lorin graduated from Elkton High School and went on to attend the University of Delaware in Newark where he received his B.S. in plant pathology/entomology, then continued his education at N.C. State University in Raleigh, earning his M.S. and Ph.D.

On June 5, 1955 Lorin married his sweetheart Betty in Elkton. In 1960 he accepted a professor position at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD. He and Betty moved first to Hyattsville, then to Lanham, MD. Jack, Mike and Sue were born soon after. 

Lorin had many hobbies, including his famously huge garden from which he shared the bounty with neighbors and coworkers, grew azaleas and rhododendrons which he would sell from home as well as the Beltsville Garden Club plant sales. He was also an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 289 while Jack and Mike were in scouting. For many years he and Betty were members of the Goshen Bears, a volunteer organization that performed maintenance at the Goshen Scout Camps. Lorin was an accomplished French horn player and performed with several musical groups, including solos as well. One of his favorite groups was MADD at NASA Goddard.

At the University of Maryland, Lorin primarily conducted research on nematodes, taught graduate students and was an advisor to many M.S. and Ph.D. candidates. He retired in 1995. 

In retirement he a Betty had a busy life. In addition to his gardening, Scout volunteering and family beach vacations, they took up square dancing and participated in many out-of-town dances. They traveled extensively, including to Hawaii, cruise to Alaska, train trip through the Canadian and American Rockies and to Estonia, from which his parents emigrated in the early 1900’s.

Lorin and Betty were active volunteers delivering for Meals on Wheels, Lanham Methodist Church Handbell Choir, and fostering dogs. Betty passed in 2017 after 62 years of marriage.

Lorin had a full and accomplished life and was grateful and humbled by all he had experienced in his 92 years. He will be missed. There are no services planned at this time.