Joseph Howard Kramer, traveled extensively internationally
Joseph Howard Kramer (Joe/Jodee) passed away at his home in Rehoboth Beach Sunday, April 16, 2023. He was born in Eldora, Iowa, March 6, 1947, to Joseph Harold Megan Kramer and Ann Calfee Kramer.
Following high school graduation in Eldora, he attended the University of Notre Dame, earning a bachelor of arts degree, and L'Universite Catholique de l'Ouest in Angers, France, and The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in Bologna, Italy, and Washington, D.C., where he received a master’s degree in international economics and certificate of proficiency in the French language.
His professional career included serving as an international economist and lobbyist at the Washington, D.C. law and lobbying firm of Patton, Boggs and Blow, a public relations executive in New York City, and vice president of the Washington, D.C., lobbying/public relations firms Gray and Company and Hill & Knowlton.
With a summer home in Rehoboth Beach, he moved there permanently in 1991 with his partner, Mark Brown. Together they opened and operated a bed and breakfast, the Silver Lake Guesthouse from 1991 until 2016.
Throughout his life, he traveled extensively internationally, including an adventurous 1968 drive in his yellow Mustang convertible through Russia to Odesa, Ukraine. In recent years, he especially enjoyed annual visits to Paris.
In addition to his parents, Joseph was preceded in death by his sister JoAnn Kramer; grandparents Joseph Henry and Nellie Megan Kramer, and Howard and Carrie Wetrich Calfee. Survivors include his partner of 45 years, Mark Brown; an uncle, William Kramer; and several cousins.
At his request, services will be private.
Final care has been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joseph’s name may be directed to Rehoboth Beach Public Library, 226 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, rehoboth.lib.de.us; or Eldora Iowa Public Library, 1202 10th St., Eldora, IA 50627, eldora.lib.ia.us.
Visit Joseph’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
