We live in a fast-moving world—scrolling, swiping, streaming, rushing. In all of it, it’s easy to lose sight of where we come from. But for me, knowing my roots isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about identity. It’s about honor. It’s about carrying something forward that’s bigger than myself. That’s why the Gantner name still matters to me, and why I’ve made sure it continues on through the next generation.
A Name That Means Something
My full name is Andrew Gantner Krienke, and that middle name—Gantner—has always carried weight in my family. It’s not just a name we slap on paperwork. It represents courage, sacrifice, and a sense of duty that goes back generations.
My grandfather, Robert Gantner, served as a Navy seaman during World War II. But even more defining in our family history is his brother—my great uncle—Samuel Gantner. Samuel died at Pearl Harbor and was later recognized as a decorated war hero. He gave his life in service to this country before he ever had a chance to live it fully.
Samuel never got to start a family, but he became a symbol in ours. He’s someone we remember not just for how he died, but for how he lived—with bravery and heart. My son and I are now the only ones in the family who still carry Gantner as a middle name. That’s not something I take lightly.
Remembering the People Who Shaped Us
Growing up, I spent a lot of time listening to stories—stories about my parents, grandparents, and others in our family who came before me. My dad, Calvin Krienke Jr., was a teacher and coach in Lodi, well known by generations of students and athletes. He passed away in 2024, and his memorial was packed with people whose lives he had touched.
My mom, Cynthia, was a nurse who spent her career helping others through some of their toughest moments. She passed in early 2025, but her compassion and strength still echo in my life.
What I learned from both of them—and from my grandparents—is that family history is more than old photos or war records. It’s values. It’s work ethic. It’s showing up. That’s how they lived, and I try to honor them by living that way too.
More Than Just Bloodlines
You don’t have to come from a famous family to have a powerful legacy. What matters is the example that gets passed down. For us, that legacy looks like service, hard work, humility, and loyalty.
I’ve tried to carry that legacy in my own way—through teaching, coaching, and now managing a team in the restaurant industry. I’ve also passed it down to my own son. Giving him the Gantner middle name wasn’t just a tradition. It was a reminder that he comes from people who gave their best, even when no one was watching.
Family names can get lost in time, but I’m doing my best to make sure ours doesn’t. A few years back, I even read that the school district once considered naming a school after Samuel Gantner. I’m not sure what happened with that, but I still think it’s an idea worth revisiting. Our town—and our country—could use more reminders of the people who made quiet, powerful sacrifices.
Why It Still Matters Today
Some people might wonder why any of this matters. Why dig into old family stories? Why hold on to names from the past?
Because history grounds us. It reminds us that we’re not the center of the universe, but part of something larger. In a world that often feels divided or uncertain, remembering the strength, honor, and selflessness of the people before us gives us direction.
When I’m tired, when work is stressful, when life feels like too much—I think about my great uncle on a ship at Pearl Harbor. I think about my grandfather flying for the Army Air Corps. I think about my mom putting in long hours at the hospital and my dad coaching teenagers after full school days. That’s the standard. That’s the bar I try to live up to.
Keeping Their Stories Alive
If we don’t tell these stories, they fade. That’s why I share them with my son, with the kids I’ve coached, and sometimes even with my staff. Not to brag or preach, but to remind us all that resilience and character are built over time—and passed down on purpose.
There’s a saying I like: “You plant trees whose shade you’ll never sit under.” That’s what Samuel Gantner did. That’s what so many of our family members did. And now it’s on me—and my son—to keep planting.
Honoring the Gantner legacy isn’t about clinging to the past. It’s about living in a way that reflects the strength of where we came from. It’s about stepping up when it matters, serving others before yourself, and never forgetting the shoulders you stand on.
So yes, family history still matters. It keeps us humble. It keeps us rooted. And if we’re lucky, it keeps us headed in the right direction.
Let’s make sure we remember—and then let’s make sure we live it out.