Roy Kent Kreizenbeck

Roy “Tule” Kreizenbeck, of Bakersfield, California passed away peacefully on July 1st, 2025.

Tule was born to Lois and Raphael Kreizenbeck on March 18th, 1946, in Sacramento, California. He was preceded in death by his father, Ray, his mother, Lois and his sister, Lorena. Tule is survived by his wife Laurie, children Garet Kreizenbeck (and his wife, Camerin), Damon Kreizenbeck (and his wife Karin), and Kyda McDonagh (and her husband, Joe), grandchildren Will Kreizenbeck. Phoebe Kreizenbeck. Lindsay Kreizenbeck, Hanna Kreizenbeck, Kyda Kreizenbeck, Vivian McDonagh, Lyla McDonagh and Beck McDonagh, brothers Ron and Rick Kreizenbeck, and by many other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

After graduating from Tule Lake Union high school in 1964, Tule studied agronomy at the University of Nevada Reno where he received a full wrestling scholarship. It was at UNR that he got the nickname “Tule” and where he met the love of his life, Laurie Sill. They married on September 7th, 1968. They were married for almost 57 years.

While in Reno, anticipating the likelihood of being drafted into the Vietnam war, he joined the ROTC. After he completed engineering school at Fort Belvoir, VA he was transferred to Fort Bragg, NC and served as the post’s agronomist. He was deployed to Vietnam on March 8th 1970, four days before the birth of his first child. Tule fought with the 14th Combat Engineer battalion and was a platoon leader and executive officer. He received many accolades for his service to his country including two Bronze Stars and a National Defense Service Medal. He retired, after months of fighting bravely, with the rank of 1st lieutenant. Tule attended many reunions over the years and was held in high esteem by the soldiers who fought with him.

After Vietnam, he returned to Bakersfield and started his career in seed genetics. Eventually, starting his own companies- first, Allium Genetics and then Rio Colorado Seeds. He was dedicated, passionate, and innovative in his field. Although his peer group in onion seed genetics was small, he was widely respected throughout the onion industry for many of the breeds he developed. If you have ever been to Outback Steakhouse and enjoyed a Bloomin’ Onion, you have tasted one of his creations. After selling Rio Colorado seeds, Tule went to work for Bejo seeds, headquartered in the Netherlands, and was involved in their global onion seed breeding program. The position with Bejo provided the opportunity to develop seeds in different soils and climates all over the world. Because of this, Laurie and Tule were able to travel to destinations across the world and the family remains forever grateful.

Perhaps Tule’s greatest career achievement was his role in the emergence of the Vidalia onion. Tule was instrumental in helping the Vidalia sweet onion’s rise to prominence as it became generally accepted as one of the top onion varieties in the world. At one time, over 85% of the onions produced in Vidalia came from Tule’s seeds. In 2018 he was inducted into the Vidalia Onion Hall of Fame.

Tule was a great husband, a wonderful father, and the best papa. We will miss his sense of humor, sweet smile, and sparkly blue eyes.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date.