32 January 3 • 2019
jn
32 January 3 • 2019
jn
32 January 3 • 2019
jn
soul
of blessed memory
C
areer success came early for
former Detroiter Colin Kroll.
While pursuing a degree in
information technology at Oakland
University (OU), Yahoo! came calling
with a $75,000 offer for the
brilliant, computer-savvy col-
lege student.
Colin joined the internet
services company in New
York City, becoming Yahoo’
s
engineering manager. He
later was chief technology
officer at Jetsetter.
With fast-loading video
unlocking new opportunities
on mobile devices, lightning
struck twice for Colin with the two
major apps he developed alongside
business partner Rus Yusupov. In
2012, they and third co-founder Dom
Hofmann released Vine, a short-form
video app that social giant Twitter
purchased later that year for $30 mil-
lion. But the culture-defining product
for Kroll and Yusupov is their mobile
app HQ Trivia. Launched in August
2017, the app live-streams 15-minute
trivia shows twice daily to mobile
users. Thousands of players can be
hosted simultaneously.
Colin Kroll, 34, CEO of HQ Trivia,
died of a drug overdose at home
in Manhattan on Dec. 16, 2018.
International media reported his
passing. A slide celebration of Colin’
s
life preceded his Dec. 21 memorial
service here; Temple Israel’
s Rabbi
Harold Loss officiated.
Born May 17, 1984, in Detroit,
Colin was the middle son of Alan and
Catherine “Cathy” Kroll. He graduated
from Bloomfield Hills Andover High
School, then worked at Steve’
s Deli
near home before enrolling at OU.
Colin grasped concepts of
computer technology intui-
tively. At 14, he caused a stir
among the neighbors by writ-
ing a program to download
his music faster, locking them
out. Alan said he and Cathy
were relieved when Colin
chose to use his gifts for good:
creating video apps for smart-
phones.
Vine won Variety’
s 2014
Breakthrough Award in Emerging
Technology. JN Contributing Writer
Rabbi Jason Miller, who writes about
technology, met the partners after they
accepted the award in Las Vegas.
“What impressed me about Colin,”
Miller said, “is that he had sold his
company for a lot of money and, yet,
was extremely laid back and humble.”
Twitter discontinued Vine last
year, but the partners were already
employed since 2015 at video game
publisher Intermedia Labs. The Hype
and Bounce apps they created didn’
t
catch fire; then came HQ Trivia.
Players win or split jackpots on the
free mobile-based trivia platform by
touch screening answers to 12 multi-
ple-choice questions.
“Colin was always so proud of using
me as an avatar, the face of his prod-
uct,” said comedian Scott Rogowsky,
the HQ Trivia host.
An industry reporter wrote: “The
app combines the interactivity of gam-
ing, the allure of live video and the
production values of Hollywood.”
HQ Trivia raised $15 million in seed
money from Lightspeed Ventures in
California.
Lightspeed partner Jeremy Liew said,
“Our job is to identify those with spe-
cial talents. Colin could have wanted to
open a bagel shop and we would have
funded him anyway. He had that ability
to impose his vision, his will and talent
on the world. He always did what was
best for the company, never thought
about himself.”
Kroll family members living in New
York provided Colin with a harbor.
“Colin and I were kindred spirits —
both consummate, working entrepre-
neurs,” said Alan’
s sister, Susan Kroll.
“He was in love with his family, in love
with New York, in love with Detroit.”
Other New Yorkers deliver-
ing eulogies were Alan’
s brother,
Gene Kroll; brother-in-law, Robert
Lachow; and niece, Elizabeth
Lachow. Cousin Colin was Elizabeth’
s
concert buddy and confidante. He
loved his dog, Tater Tots, and playing
guitar — “That guy could shred!”
Colin also was a self-taught anime
artist who admired the craft and
design of cars, watches and art.
Jason and Zachary Kroll adored
their brother Colin.
“He was such a caring guy, liked to
have fun and was humble about his
achievements,” Jason said.
Zachary noted: “He made time for
me in spite of his busy schedule.”
Typically working more than 100
hours a week, Colin took a five-day
break to come home at Thanksgiving.
“He spoke then of wanting to branch
beyond ‘
kiddie games’
and do some-
thing for humanity,” Alan said. His son
was working on a computer chip to
help monitor patients’
vital functions.
“The big city can change you, but
Colin never lost that Midwestern spir-
it,” Yusupov said. “He came a long way
in a short time, in terms of becoming a
notable person in the tech world.
“Talented, technical, tenacious —
Colin worked hard to bring things to
life that will carry on long after his
tragic passing.”
Colin is survived by his parents,
Alan Kroll and Catherine Kroll;
brothers, Jason Kroll and Zachary
Kroll (fiancée Michelle Wysocki);
grandmother, Bert Kroll; uncles and
aunts, Gene Kroll, Susan Kroll (Robert
Lachow) and Michael (Terry) Church;
cousin, Elizabeth Kroll; parents’
com-
panions, Nancy Lafferty and Al Sanom;
and friends and colleagues.
He was the grandson of the late
Richard Charles Kroll, the late Jack
Church and the late Joan Church;
nephew of the late David Church;
cousin of the late Eric Church.
Contributions may be made to
Michigan Humane Society, 30300
Telegraph Road, Suite 220, Bingham
Farms, MI 48025, (248) 283-1000,
michiganhumane.org/tributes.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel. ■
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