Dr. Gary Krahenbuhl grew up on a family farm in Steward, Illinois. He attended Northern Illinois University, where he played varsity basketball, and later completed graduate work in education and a doctoral program at the University of Northern Colorado. Known for his curiosity and generosity, he pursued many interests including coaching, historical research, and designing and building the Tempe home where he lived for more than forty years.

Gary joined Arizona State University in 1973 as an assistant professor in the Physical Education Department. Over the course of a distinguished career spanning over 30 years, he served as department chair, Associate Dean and Interim Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dean of the college from 1991 to 2000, and later Senior Vice President and Deputy Provost. He retired in 2003.

During his career he held a number of leadership roles both at ASU and nationally, including serving as President of the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences and President of the Urban Universities Deans group. Arizona State University now honors faculty annually with the Gary Krahenbuhl Difference Maker Award. He was also the author of Building the Academic Deanship: Strategies for Success.

ASU affiliation and years (1973-2003):

1973 – Assistant Professor, Physical Education Department 
1975 - Director of the Exercise and Support Research Institute
1979 – Full Professor and Chair, Physical Education Department
1984 – Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
1990 – Interim Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
1991 – Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
2000 – Senior Vice President and Deputy Provost
2003 – Retired; later named Professor Emeritus associated with the School of Nutrition and Health Promotion

He is survived by his wife, Richey; four children, Lisa Harrington (Lance), Julie Truelick (Cary), Kevin Krahenbuhl (Allison), and Michael Krahenbuhl (Allison); eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his siblings Scott Krahenbuhl, Doug Krahenbuhl, and Deb Hueber.

A celebration of life will be held in Tempe, Arizona, on April 18, 2026. For additional information, please contact Julie Truelick at [email protected]