Robert L. Crudup Sr

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.