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Robert Crawford Obituary
CRAWFORD, 87
At dawn on D-Day, 1944, Lt. j.g. Robert Crawford led his company of the Second Naval Beach Battalion ashore in the first wave as saulting Utah Beach. At the close of that terrible day, he secured his men and dug a foxhole in the sand, pulled a tank landing cover over his head, and read a book by flashlight.
As a beachmaster who moved and coordinated men and materiel, he had already landed in North Africa and Sicily. From Normandy, he would transfer to the Pacific theatre and take part in nearly every major assault from the sea. He saw the American flag raised over Iwo Jima, landed in the Philip pines with MacArthur, and watched from an adjoining ship as the Emperor of Japan signed the armistice agreement. His many decorations include the Silver Star and the Croix de Guerre of Belgium for heroism on D-Day, as well as numerous citations and theatre medals. He left the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
During the war, he married New York stage and television actress Charita Bauer. Although the mar riage ended in divorce, they re mained friends until her death. After the war, he returned to his native Akron and joined his father's firm, Crawford Letter Service, building it into a direct mail advertising and printing house, the Crawford Company. In 1950 he married fel low Akronite Frances Stewart, a widely known musician and artist, who died in 1986. In 1988, he married Frances M. Herberich, who survives.
A 1937 graduate of Oberlin College, he gave back to his communi ty all his life. He served on the board of the Cleveland Institute of Music, was a charter subscriber to Blossom Music Center, and raised money for Ohio Ballet, the Akron Symphony and the Tuesday Musical Club among others. He was active for many years with Bluecoats and chaired an Akron United Way cam paign. A leader in the Mail Advertising Association, he received the Akron Advertising Club's Silver Medal Award.
In addition to his civic activities, he worked full time into his mid- seventies. He was an avid golfer and member of Fairlawn Country Club. Bob was known for his sunny temperament, his Christmas poems which comprised the text of his annual holiday card, and for his wonderful handwritten notes of af fection and encouragement to friends, family and strangers who often became friends soon after.
In addition to his widow, sons, Michael (Lucy) of New York City and David of Akron; stepdaughters, Lynne (William) Woodman of Cleveland and Carol Ruckel of Denver; grandchildren, Alexander, Patrick, Christopher, and Melissa Crawford; stepgrandsons, David and Geoff Ruckel, and a host of friends sur vive him.
His life will be celebrated in a memorial service at Akron's First Congregational Church, where he was a member for 74 years, on Saturday, March 30, at 10:30 a.m. The family will receive friends immediately following the memorial service. Private family committal at Rose Hill Burial Park. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Tuesday Musical Club, 198 Hill St., Akron 44304; the Akron Sym phony, 17 N. Broadway St., Akron 44308; Bluecoats Incorporated, 2060 W. Nimisilia Rd., Clinton, Ohio 44216; or Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service, 3358 Ridgewood Rd., Akron 44333. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 330-867-4141.)
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Crawford
Vincent And Denise DelMedico
April 7, 2002
Dave and Family,
We were very sorry to hear of the passing of your Father. We know he will be greatly missed by all of you. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Vince and Denise DelMedico
John Swartz
April 2, 2002
Bob was a true gentleman. His smile and upbeat manner in all things was a true inspiration. He will not be forgotten. It is my honor to have known him.
Nadine & Dan Trahey
March 30, 2002
What wonderful memories we will always have of dear Bob & Frances. We were next door neighbors until Frances' death and Bob moved away. They were so sweet to us~came over right away to introduce themselves and welcome us. They were so wonderful to our children. We will miss his fantastic Christmas cards and his smiling face. God Bless all the Crawfords.
JANET H. PARKER
March 29, 2002
IT IS VERY SAD FOR ME TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE THAT HAD BEEN A PART OF MY YOUNG LIFE IS GONE. BOB CRAWFORD TO ME WAS ALWAYS "UNCLE BOB". AS I GREW OLDER I DIDN'T SEE HIM AS MUCH
AS I ONCE USED TO, BUT I ALWAYS THOUGHT ABOUT HIM THREW THE YEARS. I CAN STILL HEAR HIM AND SEE HIM IN MY MIND. HE WAS "ALWAYS" SO KIND TO ME, AND "ALWAYS" MADE ME FEEL WELCOME! IN ONE WAY TO ME, THIS IS AN ACTUAL END TO THE CRAWFORD CO, A COMPANY THAT ALL THE PRINTERS IN THE AREA, WANTED TO PATTERN THEMSELVES LIKE.
BOB CRAWFORD WAS NOT ONLY A HERO
DURING HIS TIME SPENT FIGHTING FOR
OUR COUNTRY, HE'S BEEN A HERO EVER SINCE! MY HEARTFELT SYMPATHY, TO ALL THAT LOVED HIM. "MARK THE PERFECT MAN, AND BEHOLD THE UP-RIGHT: FOR THE END OF THAT MAN IS "PEACE". PSALMS 37:37
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Jennifer Fitzgerald
March 28, 2002
My sincere condolences go out to the entire family. Bob was a very dear friend to my sister Lori - whom I know will miss him very much.
JIM (Wally) and Grace Wallace
March 28, 2002
We will remember Mr Crawford, a warm, kind and thoughtful person to all. We had the opportunity and joy to work for him. Our deepest sympathy to family and friends. Grace and Wally
Russ Vernon and Staff, The West Point Market
March 28, 2002
We here at the West Point Market would like to our condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Crawford.
Barbara Bonner
March 28, 2002
Bob was such a sweetheart of a guy. I first met him when his wife Frances Stewart died in 1986 while assisting with the administration of her estate. The next time we met, Bob told me how fortunate he was to have in his life a very lovely lady named Frances Herberich. At his age, I do not think he expected to have another opportunity to fall in love. He was so happy and excited about their upcoming marriage. Although I only met Frances once, it was obvious that she was just as lovely and gracious a lady as Bob indicated. Please accept my sincere sympathy for your loss. The memory of Bob brings a smile to my face and to my heart.
Veronica Riggle
March 28, 2002
Tears rolled down my face as I read Sunday's "Beacon Journal" article of Mr. Crawford's passing. He was truly a kind and loving person whom I shall not forget from the moment I met him. My heart goes out to his family and friends. It was always such a pleasure to see him every time he stopped by at the shop to say "Hello". You just can't forget someone who was as nice and thoughtful as he was. Mr. Crawford will truly be missed by many I'm sure. May God bless and keep him amongst all his angels.
Steve Finley
March 26, 2002
Bob Crawford was one of the finest men I ever had the honor of knowing. He taught us all that class and business can mix. I will always cherish his Christmas poems and special messages of encouragement. Akron lost a hero, a gentleman and a friend. We'll miss you, Bob!
Judy Brittain/McConkey
March 26, 2002
Dear Francis, I was saddened to hear of Bob's passing. He was a wonderful man with a powerful sense of humor and enjoyed by all he met. Akron became a better place because of men like Bob. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Judy Brittain McConkey
Father Bill (Baz) Bartz
March 26, 2002
Mr. Crawford was one of the kindest men that I ever knew. His delightful demeanor shined through that pleasant smile from the first time that I met him with my lifelong and dear friend, David, with whom I grew up.
I did not know that Mr. Crawford was a war hero. He did not speak of those days to us, but he always seemed to have an extra large smile when he would see me in my Navy uniform. Now I know why, however I am humbled by his experiences and how he was recognized by the Navy. He really is a true life hero!!
I am a better person for knowing him. May God rest his soul and comfort the entire Crawford family.
Very respectfully,
Father Bill Bartz,
CAPT, CHC, USN
Fr. George and Zafera Bartz
March 25, 2002
We extend our sincere sympathy to the family upon the death Bob.We remember him as a great encourager and friend to our son, Bill, who now is a Captain in the Navy
Donna Creasman-Downey
March 25, 2002
I was so sorry to hear from Tracey Lynn of Bob's passing. He was a lovely gentleman and a great inspiration to me as a performer. He always had a smile of encouragement as I sang and a big hug waiting after the service.
I have each and every note that Bob wrote in praise of my performances. Please know I treasure them far more than any newspaper review.
My deepest sympathy goes out to all who loved Bob, for certainly his passing is a loss to us all, but such a glorious addition to the angels!
Ann Brennan
March 24, 2002
Bob was a wonderful supporter of the arts in the Akron area. We will all miss his help and enthusiasm. Our thoughts are certainly with all of the family during this difficult time. Sincerely, Ann and David Brennan
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