Robert Crowley

 Just a few minutes into a brand new day Bobby's Lord and Savior, Jesus, came to take him home to Heaven. Jesus led Bob's spirit down past the “shadow of death” and up into His glorious, eternal Light. You may have also known Bob as Dad, Pa Bob, Daddio, G-Bob and PawPaw. And also Bob, Bobby, Bobby Blu; Kool Breeze, Roberto, Bobcat and Bobbers; Beloved Husband, My Sweetheart and Faithful Servant of Jesus.  

(Among those who went on before Bob were his parents, Letha O. and Richard Jerome Crowley; his beloved Grammaw Lottie of Tipton, MO; his beloved wife Suanne Crowley and precious daughter Susan Soell Carrington.)  If you were to take a moment now to consider some of Bob's God-given attributes and talents, what would come to your mind? I imagine we'd probably arrive at a similar list for both. Whether long ago or in his more recent years, I think we'd all agree that Bob had the attribute of “presence” when in the company of others.  

Wouldn't you agree with me that he was an authentically-loving man. Bob was an attentive, good listener who paid attention to the details of our lives. He proved himself to be an affirming, compassionate and encouraging person. We also enjoyed his fun-loving, witty and imaginative parts.  

We were moved by his generosity and comforted by his loyalty. We admired his persevering spirit that God imbued him with, especially throughout the hardest seasons of his life, whether recovering from loss, navigating his precarious health the past 2-1/2 years or enduring his roller-coaster ride of Lewy Body Dementia. 

Our beloved Bob loved being with people anywhere and any time, whether teaching at the University of Akron, gathering together with other Christians, giving blood at the Red Cross, taking walks around our neighborhood, serving at The Landing Food Pantry or song-leading with Wendy occasionally at Rockynol. He lit up the rooms he walked into, even at grocery stores and restaurants. Bob would shake the hand of a Vet while thanking him for his or her service, high-five it with kids, announce to parents that they had a beautiful family, enjoy making faces at babies; compliment the female cashiers on their hair and nails, ask about a person's tatoos, told clerks and waiters they were doing a good job and often be singing or whistling a tune along the way. Even his home health caregivers, hospital and rehab staff consistently referred to Bob as “an encouraging, kind man with a good singing voice”!

Bob served as a teacher of Public Speaking and Drama in the University of Akron's School of Communication for many years. He received an award for “Distinguished Service” upon his retirement in May, 2013. He also loved acting and teaching others how to act. He appeared on the stages of Weathervane, Coach House and E. J. Thomas Hall, to name a few. He enjoyed making short films such as the poignant and delightful “The Trampoline”. He was a proud flag-waving, honorably-discharged Veteran from the 101st. Airborne Div., (Army). So he was especially engaged in his film role as Uncle Sam. The cast of characters in this educational film took high school students back to the founding of America, its great historic documents and ultimate Independence!

Bob was a co-founder, co-director, sketch-writer and actor in the L.I.ON. Players (Life Isn't Only Now) ministry of Akron Pregnancy Services. He was fully vested in helping this young adult group promote the joys and blessings of singlehood and abstinence till marriage. The exemplary, Christ-centered L.I.O.N.S ultimately were invited to perform in a number of different states and venues, including all the way to the Salt Lake City, Utah 2002 Olympics!

How Bob loved sharing about his personal relationship with Jesus. He would tell others how his Christian faith had brought true meaning, joy and peace into his life...how it had proven to be life-giving and life-sustaining over time. And this faith of his proved to be the impetus for writing over 150 “vignettes” (or sketches) for actors to use in worship. The published “A”, “B” and “C” volumes followed the three-year Lectionary Cycle. The acting group at Bob's treasured St. Luke's Church in Copley, OH became known as “The Fisher People” with Bob as both director and actor. The group was also invited to perform elsewhere over the years. (CSS Publishing Co., Inc., Lima, OH).

Many have been surprised to learn that Bob was also a gifted painter of many beautiful scenes from nature; and, of course, some whimsical scenes, since Bob could often be a rascal! How blessed our family is to have them on the walls of our homes! Next time you're visiting, come check them out!

Apart from those who had gone on ahead of Bobby, there are still many of us who remain (and who can hardly wait until our day of spiritual reunion with him!) And we are:  Bob's son, Robin Crowley (Bridget) and grandchildren Jordan and Elisa (Akron, OH); Bob's daughter, Deb Inboden, (“Buzz”) and Family (Lewis Center, OH); Bob's son Stephen, “Pinky”, Soell (Leslie) and grandchildren Samuel, Grace and Maxwell of CO; Grandchildren Tatum Soell Carrington and Tanner Soell Carrington of TX (Susan's adult children); Bob's sister, Helen Beth Farnbauch and Niece Pam Prezioso (Don) and Family of Ashland, OH; and me, Wendy Lynn Crowley, Bob's grateful wife, (English Oaks Condos, Akron, OH).  Bob also, temporarily, leaves behind his heart-adopted families and individuals both near and far; namely, all Davison family members and extended; Ian Deters (Wendy's son); special family friend Greg Deters; Dave and Lisa Grant (Amber, Ben and Zach) and Danielle and Fred, Jr., Wilson (Makayla, Skyler, Jaiden and Kaiden) all of Brimfield, OH. And best friend, Dean Cole, of Akron, OH.

Bob adored his adult children and their families. He delighted in all of his grandchildren, loved celebrating their birthdays, praying for them often and following their variety of interests. He loved any time he could spend with our family around a table or out in nature, simply catching up, praying together or goofing around. How beloved Bob felt by all the weekend of his 80th. when he got to go on a train ride through the Cuyahoga Valley and enjoy a sumptuous meal at The O'Neil House in Akron!

 Also heavy-hearted and keenly missing Bob at this time are cherished and devoted friends of ours from St. Luke's Church in Copley, OH (Anglican); the Akron Christian Reformed Church in Akron, OH and numerous other most precious friends. How often he was moved to tears upon learning that all of you were keeping him in constant prayer during his seasons of greatest need! And how Bob loved worshiping and praising God with Family and Friends. How especially blessed we all would be whenever we got to hear him sing!

I, Wendy Lynn Crowley, have been richly blessed being Bob Crowley's “cherished sweetheart”, “beloved wife” and “dearest friend” as he has often called me for nearly 10 years now. And shared in vibrant ministry with him at APS 25 years ago. Bob and I always felt God had hand-picked this beautiful season of marriage for us. And our love only deepened during Bob's harder few years when we had to cleave more closely to God and each other.

We enjoyed starting each day with our devotions to God and often sent up prayers for all of you and our world. We loved taking country drives to the Cuyahoga Valley, Portage Lakes and Hartville and walking the beautiful grounds of Stan Hywet and Seiberling Nature Realm.

 We found great joy in singing hymns, show tunes and silly songs together daily, whether in the car, on our walks or around the house. In the evening you'd find us holding hands, snuggling close, watching compelling documentaries, great old movies or Bill Gaither Southern Gospel dvd's. And, of course, dancing to Sinatra in our living room.  

Around the holidays, or if a loved one needed special encouragement, you'd find Bob and I baking pumpkin pies and sweet breads, then heading out the door, songbooks in tow!

In the milder months Bob and I would find ourselves outside on our patio with Bobby reading romantic stories and other great books aloud to us. We were always enchanted by the singing of birds. We often looked around and thanked God for His beautiful Creation, for bringing us to each other and for all of you, our faithful, loving and prayerful Family, Church and Friends. And just before dusk, we'd find ourselves looking up at the inviting sky and wondering about our future, Heavenly home.

Well, my beloved Bobby-Blu and Forever Cherished Sweetheart, you need wonder no more. All of us, your beloved Family, Church and Friends still see through a glass half-darkly, but you now see the Lord Jesus face to face. And while we will miss you deeply and with tears for a good long while, we do rejoice with you that Jesus has led you to your forever home, that you are fully alive now and free in spirit! And we feel very sure that Jesus has welcomed you with a big, warm hug and “Well done, good and faithful Bobby!”

 We will all gladly keep sharing your story with others - - and without pain and tears one day - - and remind them of the “joy of the Lord” you always had and easily shared. We look forward to being reunited with you spirit-to-spirit again one day at the Eastern Gate. How we have come to love you, Bobby, and know your love for us in return! Meanwhile, as we bid you our temporary farewell, our most precious Bobby, Bob, Kool Breeze, Pa Bob, PawPaw and G Bob, can it be that “For God so Loved the World” is coming from that great “Cloud of Witnesses” you now find yourself in? (Bet you're the one responsible for gathering the choir!!) Soooo, whoever on earth wishes to join with Bobby and me in the singing of this beloved hymn, join in and sing heartily! (Also check out on youtube “God So Loved” - Live at the Wheelhouse by We The Kingdom and rock out! Bob surely will also!!!) **********************************************************************************

Bob's “Celebration of Life” service will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 2:00pm, St. Luke's Church in Copley, OH (Anglican). 3810 Ridgewood Rd., Copley, OH 44321 (330-665-2227).  (Right across the street from Copley High.) Sr. Rector: Daniel Morgan.

 There will be a meal and fellowship time following worship.

 Memorials may be made to St. Luke's Church's Benevolence Fund; Akron Pregnancy Services OR your favorite animal shelter (as Bob loved what he referred to as “doggie-dogs”....cats, too!)

 Arrangements entrusted to Adams Mason Funeral Home (330) 535-9186