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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