LINCOLN — Members of the Cornhusker Marching Band at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will wear red ribbons in their hair Friday to honor the life of their fallen piccolo player and friend.
At every game, Andy Krueger, a 22-year-old computer science major from Omaha, clipped red ribbons to his buzz-cut, adhering to a UNL tradition that piccolo players wear ribbons in their hair. To friends and family, it was a show of Krueger's "goofy" personality and "band pride."
"You could be having the worst day, and he would just do something really goofy to make you happy again ... even if most people would think it was embarrassing ... he would do it anyway," said friend and fellow piccolo player Amy Pettit.
Krueger, a UNL senior and 2008 Benson High School graduate, died Monday after suffering a heart attack Friday. A preliminary autopsy report found a large blood clot in the artery that fed the largest part of his heart, his family confirmed. Doctors are still investigating what led to the clot.
Bob and Debra Krueger, Andy's parents, described their son's health as "normal." They said he went to work at Bag 'N Save on Friday before coming home early feeling sick. His health deteriorated over the next couple of days before he died at Methodist Hospital.
To the Kruegers, he was a "considerate" and "very good son" who loved computers. They say he would have been content to manage the Bag 'N Save dairy department.
At 6 feet 8 inches, Krueger was the tallest UNL band member and he played its smallest instrument.
He earned two band service awards in four years, said director Tony Falcone. But it was the informal, band-awarded "Kingbandnerd" recognition that was most telling of Krueger, Falcone said.
Through extreme weather, in practice and in competition, Krueger never complained. He smiled and led by example, Falcone said.
On hot days, Krueger used a shirt to create a "tent" for his fellow piccolo players to seek shade under, said Rose Johnson, the band's administrative technician.
He even helped fix the wireless Internet during the band's trip to the Michigan football game, she said.
Pettit, a sophomore general studies major, said she will remember Krueger's willingness to help clean up Westbrook Hall after football games, even out-of-turn. Next fall, the piccolo section will try to emulate his goofiness, she said.
Band members used to ask "What are we going to do when Andy's gone?" Pettit said.
"Now I think everyone is really inspired to follow his example," she said.
Survivors also include his brother, Edward Krueger; sisters, Katherine and Mary; grandparents Edward and Dorothy Oltman, and Alice Krueger; two nieces; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Services begin 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 4117 Terrace Drive.
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