By Miriam Kramer
Past President, Sister Cities Association of Sarasota (SCAS)

Retired Marine Corps Colonel Craig H. Hullinger passed away June 27, 2025, at his home in Bloomington, IL. After he and his wife, Beth, retired to Sarasota, Craig served as a devoted, kind, and reliable board member for SCAS for many years.

He joined the board with his beloved wife, Beth Ruyle Hullinger, who served both as Past President and Vice President of Cities and Candidate Cities. Craig served as Vice President of Public Relations and Communications until he took on the position as Vice President of Economic Development, which he held until late 2023.

His wife, Beth, passed away from complications of multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia on September 30, 2024, after which Craig moved back to Illinois to spend time with his children. In the years before her passing, he and Beth took cruises around the world and traveled as much as possible, learning about diverse cultures in a way that led them to create bridges of peace and understanding. They both traveled from Sarasota on multiple delegations to our seven Sister and Friendship Cities.

As VP of Public Relations and Communications, Craig developed multiple blogs and social media sites where he advertised our citizen diplomacy with different cities. A military veteran, he enthusiastically conveyed our message of endorsing peace between cities and countries through friendship and shared initiatives.

As a Marine Corps Colonel Craig served during the Vietnam War. With a BA in government and MA in Urban Planning, he worked in Illinois as a County Planning Director, Village Manager, City Economic Development Director, and City Planning and Economic Development Consultant. He was a proud member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).

\In discussing Craig recently with many of his fellow board officers at SCAS, several themes came up constantly. He was a steady, cheerful presence who was always there to lend a hand with any project. His hearty, friendly demeanor and stability served him well at SCAS. If there was ever a crisis, we wanted him by our sides.

His many good friends, relatives, and particularly his children Leigh Ann Masen and Brett Schaller Hullinger, will miss him greatly. When Leigh Ann spoke with me, she referred to him as a sublime father. He adored not only his children but also his wife, Beth. Their love for one another was evident in all they did.

Craig created and populated specific blogs for City Directors along with other compilations. His commitment to preserving our institutional history was not just about documentation. These efforts were also an act of stewardship, connection, and care. By capturing milestones, reflections, and the vibrant pulse of our programs through blogs and archives, his writings and pictures laid the foundation for what would become our sixtieth anniversary commemorative publication. Soliciting remembrances and edits from past and current board members, with long-time board member Dr. Ray Young he wrote and compiled our history. We now have a living record of SCAS: a book that tells not only where we have been, but who we have been, and why it matters.

One short article cannot come close to summing up someone’s time on this earth. So when being concise, it is also important to be clear: Craig H. Hullinger lived a life devoted to his wife, his family, good friendships, peace, civic improvement, and the service of his country.

Our mission at SCAS is as follows: To promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation—one individual, one community at a time. Craig lived those values, and a valuable, meaningful life as a result. I speak for many at SCAS when I thank him for sharing some of that life with us. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and close friends. Semper Fi.

Please join Craig’s friends and family at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing’s Tap Room, located at 7051 Wireless Ct, Sarasota, FL 34240 on Wednesday, September 24 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. for a celebration of life. Beverages and appetizers will be served.

Click Here to RSVP. Click here to view Craig’s formal obituary.

Be advised when you receive this invitation that there will also be an event held in early October, likely in Tinley Park, Illinois. A separate invitation will be sent for that event. If you would like to receive an invitation for Illinois, please indicate that in the RSVP link, above. His family hopes you can attend.

If interested, here is a link to order the SCAS history Craig co-wrote with Dr. Ray Young: Sarasota Sister Cities: Sixty Years of Citizen Diplomacy: Hullinger, Craig H., Hullinger, Craig H., Young, Raymond A.: 9798871549827: Amazon.com: Books