"The Crudups were friends to Bob and I. Our family mourns the loss of this great man. I have many memories that I could share. One was in Bob's dental office. Sonny F. was in one chair and Bob Crudup in the other. My Bob dressed Bob Crudup as a dentist and he went in to work on Sonny. Many funny things in Lions Club. My Bob would also pile all the neighborhood kids into the boat and drive them down the street to Elmhurst School with music blaring and the kids going crazy. He would drop them off and say to Mr, Crudup, "they are all yours"! Will miss Bob and will never forget him!"
In loving memory of
Robert L. Crudup Sr
August 7, 1922 - August 30, 2014
Robert Lee Crudup of Portsmouth, Rhode Island passed away peacefully on August 30, 2014. He resided at Atria Aquidneck Place for the last several years. He spent this glorious summer in the care and comfort of his greatest treasure: his loving family. He was 92 years young.Born August 7, 1922 in Durant, Oklahoma, he was the son of Clarence Percy Crudup and Lillie May Davis. Growing up in Oklahoma, he graduated from Claremore High School in 1940. He was a graduate of the Senior ROTC Officer Candidate School in 1944 and earned a B.S. and M.S. from Oklahoma State University in 1952 with degree studies in Educational Administration. He was an Honor Graduate and member of Phi Delta Kappa. He was also a member of Kappa Sigma fraternityHe began his career in education as a Training Officer at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia and served in Japan and the Philippines. During his service to the country he met and married Kathleen Dorothy Bowman of Newport, Rhode Island, who was serving as a nurse. Afterwards, they returned to Oklahoma to finish their education and began a family. Upon visiting Rhode Island for the first time, he found the area irresistible and decided to "drop anchor" for good in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. His first position was as Supervising Principal of Henry F. Anthony School from 1954-60. He then went on to work with the Superintendent and Building Committee to plan and open Melville School, and was the Supervising Principal until 1966. His role continued as with the expansion of Hathaway School and Elmhurst School. During this time he also was the Coordinator of Transportation and supervised 17 school busses between all elementary schools and was also was the Coordinator for budget control and worked with all elementary schools. At the time, Portsmouth did not yet have a middle or high school. He retired from the Portsmouth School Department in 1985 after 35 years. During his long career, he taught at least three generations of children, many of whom remember him as fair but firm.He was a member of many professional associations including the American Association of School Administrators, National Education Association, Rhode Island Education Association, past President of the Portsmouth Personnel Association, Rhode Island Administrators Association, and the National Elementary Principals Association. Outside of work he belonged to a variety of civic organizations and was a long time member of the Portsmouth Lions Club where he served as President and for many years as Secretary. He was a charter member of the Portsmouth Scholarship Foundation and the Portsmouth High School Boosters Club.His involvement in the Boy Scouts of America began as a youth and he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. As an adult he served as the Newport District Commissioner, several Troop Committees, and well into his 80's sat on the Eagle Board of Review which approved candidates for the badge. Over the years he participated as an adult leader at Camp Yawgoog and led scouts on excursions to the Philmont Scout Reservation in Texas and 2 World Jamborees. He was awarded the Silver Beaver, Scouting's highest adult award, recognizing his lifetime of contribution to the Scouting program.He was known as Portsmouth's #1 Sports Fan. He faithfully attended both practice and games of every sport team with enthusiasm and was a fixture both on the team bus and on the sidelines. He was a charter member of the "Chain Gang" who set up the football field for home games and carried the line markers well into his 70's. The baseball field at Portsmouth High School is named 'Bob Crudup Field' in his honor. He was a lifelong fan of any team from Oklahoma but the Sooners were #1 along with the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots and he attended Super Bowl XX.He was an avid traveler and visited Australia, Canada, England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Russia, France, Germany, Israel, and the USA from Hawaii to Florida but missed climbing the Great Pyramids in Egypt. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Kathleen, son David Crudup, and grandson Scott Neubold. He is survived by sisters Jo Ann Tanner and Johnnie Lou Griffith, both of Oklahoma , daughters Virginia Harris and husband Ian of Redwood City, California, Nancy Horgan of Warren, Rhode Island, Susan Reid and husband Graham of Fountain Valley, California, son Robert Crudup, Jr. and wife Jillian of Thousand Oaks, California. He leaves grandchildren Kurt Smith, Greg Neubold, Shayna Callahan, Shaun Horgan, Heather Reid, Brandon Crudup, Andrew Reid, and great-grandson Dayton Callahan, and array of adoring family, friends, and fans far and wide.Never one to seek the spotlight, he asked for private family arrangements. For all who might like to honor his life and legacy, contributions can be made to the Robert L. and Kathleen B. Crudup Family Scholarship Fund established at the Rhode Island Foundation, 1 Union Station, Providence, RI 02903 or on-line. Always seeking to help dedicated students to spread their wings and fly, his yearly grants are made to qualifying Portsmouth High School seniors to assist them in their quest for higher education. A celebration of his life is planned for next Spring.
Tributes
"Nora Mace lit a candle in memory of Robert L. Crudup Sr."
"If there was ever a person that lived Portsmouth, it was Mr Crudup. Always showing his support/pride in Portsmouth, especially when it came to the kids. Long ago I was one of those kids and memories of Mr. Crudup on the sideline of my football games, assisting anyway possible. Many years later, I had kids of my own who played Pop Warner football in Portsmouth and Mr Crudup was still on the sidelines. Mr Crudup mybe walking the sidelines on the "Big Field" up in heaven. But, I sure do know he is wearing a Portsmouth Jersey!!!! God bless"
"The members of the Portsmouth Lions Club send their most sincere condolences to Lion Bob's family and friends. Lion Bob joined the Portsmouth Lions Club in March 1955 and served as President and Club Secretary - he served his community well and will be missed by all.. Donna A. BarkerClub President"
"If anyone had asked me at Anthony School in 1959 what the odds were that I would ever make a contribution to the Bob Crudup Family Scholarship Fund in his memory, my answer then would have been, "About a gazillion to one AGAINST." On more than one occasion my backside received the paddleboard exclamation point at the end of a disciplinary lecture (which I richly deserved) from Bob, the principal. He and I did not agree on anything then.About 15 years or so later, I served with Bob on the board of directors of the Portsmouth Citizens Scholarship Foundation. I received a scholarship from this organization to attend URI. There was a question on the application for this scholarship asking if the applicant were willing to repay his or her scholarship if and when financial circumstances allowed so another student could be assisted. I answered that question affirmatively and repaid my scholarship in full. The issue before the board of directors at this meeting was whether to delete the repayment question from the application.Only two board members, Bob Crudup and I, wanted to keep the repayment question, as we felt repayment, if and when able, was fundamental to the growth of the scholarship fund. We both spoke, we both argued, we lost the vote. I then turned to Bob and said, "Bob, this is the first time you and I have ever agreed on anything." We both laughed and shook hands. As we were shaking hands, Bob said to me, "Yeah, but I always figured you'd turn out OK. I'm pleased to see that you did."With maturity and life experience, the resentment of a disciplined 8th grader turned into profound respect and appreciation for all of Bob Crudup's generous contributions to thousands of Portsmouth students. He touched many lives. He made a difference. He will be missed.David A. RooneyAnthony School Class of 1959"
"Mr. Crudup was a great man who I meet when he was at Elemhurst- He gave me some posters of the space shuttle and I will never forget his kind words.I later became a Eagle Scout and it was people like Mr Crudup that made our town a great place to live -May He Rest in Peace.William J. TrezvantSpecial Assiatnat Attorney General"
"Robert's sister, JoAnn Tanner, is my mother-in-law. I had the delightful experience of visiting with Robert on several occasions. In 2007 our daughter was a senior in high school and visiting college campuses. We arranged to meet Robert, Nancy and Shaun at a restaurant in Rhode Island. Robert, in true Crudup fashion, finished his meal, pushed back from the table and headed toward the door. He paused, turned back around and handed us a token for the bridge. He said good-bye and left us again. Nancy shook her head, looked at us and remarked "Don't feel bad...if we were at his home, he would hand you the bag of trash to take on the way out." This is shared in all love because my mother-in-law is exactly the same. She is very direct and speaks very plainly. Many holiday meals have ended with her proclaiming "Well, good-bye. We've said all there is to say". I truly enjoyed Robert. He was a lovely man in every way. JoAnn and Johnnie Lou loved him very much.Today is our 39th wedding anniversary. Best wishes to all of you. I hope to connect with the Crudup side of the family in the near future. Take care of one another. Robyn Sanzalone (on behalf of Dan, Jessie and Jonathan Tanner)."
"I remember Mr. Crudup attending every football game (and nearly every practice) during my time at PHS. I graduated from Portsmouth in 2002 and was the captain of the football team my senior year -- I'm sure I can speak for all of the guys when I say that we appreciated Mr. Crudup's support then and that we offer our condolences now.Best,Sean Clifford"
"Please accept my sincere condolences to the family. May your many memories of him bring you comfort during this difficult period. Our loving heavenly Father is the God of all comfort and if you allow him, he can and will help you because he cares for you. (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)"
"I remember mr crudup at the football games like I would say hello to him before the football games before he went on the field I will miss him this year when I go to the football games"
"7 files added to the album Memories Album"
"Dear Ginger, Nancy, Susan, and Bob,I was in the group of 5 teachers who opened Melville School down on the Navy Base with your father as the principal. I also was David's first grade teacher as requested by your father. Although I left teaching in June, 1966 to raise my family, your father and I always kept in touch. We ran into each other when I was substituting in Portsmouth from 1973-1982. Our paths continued to cross, most recently at the Atria where another friend of our lives. I also used to see him at Foodworks on Sunday morning where he had breakfast after attending churchHe was a kind, caring man, who was a wonderful principal and friend. He had a twinkle in his eye and a zest for life that I will always remember. I have wonderful memories of our time together at Melville School, as well as the memories of many conversations we had throughout the years.My thoughts and prayers are with you all,Peace, joy, and love,Carol Hutchinson"
"Please accept my deepest sympathy upon learning of Bobs death today. A wonderful man that loved his community and our childrens education; a true friend and leader of our Boy Scouts that learned and grew from his experience; the youth of our sports programs; and most of all our times together at Lions Club functions. Rest in peace, Bob. I'm sure you're catching up with alot of the Adult Scouters that greeted you. Jean (Littlefield ) Cabral, Coventry, R.I."