Obituary of Richard George Crothers

On Wednesday, December 16^th, 2020, Richard George Crothers, loving husband and friend, passed away at the age of 80.

 

Richard was born on August 25^th, 1940 in Paterson, New Jersey to Richard and Doris Crothers. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1959 and served for over 21 years in both the Air Force and Navy, retiring at the rank of Cryptologic Senior Chief Petty Officer. He served another three decades as a defense contractor providing intelligence support to the Department of Defense. Richard had an incredible capacity to learn and was sought after by many for his ability to gather and analyze information. He served numerous tours of duty around the world both at sea and in the Republic of Vietnam.

 

Richard married the love of his life, Barbara Louise Crothers, in 1969. They celebrated their 51^st wedding anniversary a few weeks before his death. Barbara and Richard shared many adventures together while stationed abroad in Alaska and the Philippines. Barbara loves to tell wonderful stories of their travel and their many friends far and wide.

 

Richard had a passion for history, transportation, and connections between people. He traced his lineage back to the Netherlands and Ireland and lit up when talking about his family’s journey across the sea in 1911. As a young man he worked alongside his father and brother on the railroad. He loved cars, planes, ships, and trains. He spent many years traveling the world in the first half of his life. In the second half he built a home with Barbara and a great network of dear friends, including three generations of close family friends who affectionately referred to him as “Unc”. He and Barbara would tell others that we were not related by blood, but by love.

 

Richard had the rare ability to say a lot with very few words. He signed off his emails with the unattributed quote, “One day you’ll be someone’s memory. Make sure it is a good one”. Richard will live on in our memories as a sage who always knew just what to say. Never too little and never too much. “No fuss”. Richard will forever remain as an inspiration for all who knew him. He showed us how to love through the wonderful example of his marriage with Barbara. And in his last remaining months as he struggled with cancer, he showed us how to die, with dignity and at peace.