Kruse began to stand out as an athlete during his college years at Wayne State College, where he was an All-American football player and wrestler. His wrestling record was 52 wins, 2 ties and 1 loss. Upon graduating, Kruse briefly wrestled professionally, but he put it aside when was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the 12 ^th round in 1967. The following year, Kruse played with the Raiders in the second Super Bowl. In 1969, Kruse was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, but was shortly recruited to the Buffalo Bills by his former head coach with the Raiders, John Rauch. Kruse finished his professional football career with the Bills in 1971.

Although Kruse retired from professional football in 1971, he remained involved by scouting for the Oakland Raiders for ten years. During this time, he also returned to Wayne State College to coach wrestling and football while he worked on earning his master’s degree. Upon graduating, Kruse began a 25-year career teaching Social Studies and Physical Education to high schoolers. He continued coaching football and wrestling the entire time. During the summers, Kruse and his wife, Judy, ran a fishing charter business on Lake Michigan. Kruse also sold life insurance during his teaching career.

After visiting their son at the Air Force base in Charleston, the Kruse’s bought an investment property on their way to the airport in Myrtle Beach. They rented the property out for twenty years before making it their permanent home. When the Kruse’s began to search for a senior living community, they found that the tight-knit community and its proximity to Judy’s condo made Legacy Village of Murrells Inlet just the right fit for them. They have been a part of Legacy Village since 2023. 

While 1967 started Kruse in his football career, it was also the year he married the love of his life, Judy. The two have been together for 57 years and have two children, Michelle and Mark. The couple are the happy grandparents of five, young adult grandchildren.