Robert Dwight Crandall, age 82, of Monroe died on Sunday, September 23, in his home. He was born on October 13, 1929 in Rockford, IL, the son of Dwight A. Crandall and Vera (Oliver) Crandall. He attended elementary schools in Janesville and Monroe and graduated from Monroe High School with the Class of 1947.
In 1948 he left study at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, to join the U.S. Navy. He served aboard the destroyers Roan and Perry, and the LST 1090. He alternated his two terms of enlistment in the Navy with attendance at the university, from which he graduated in 1953 with a degree in business administration.
On January 3, 1953, Robert married Ruth Carol Hildebrand in Greencastle, Indiana, and they had two sons, Robert Alan and Daniel Dwight.
Robert spent his life as a businessman in Monroe, first with the family tire and oil distribution business, Crandall, Inc., until 1987, and later with Systems Management Group, Inc., the company he founded.
He was a member of the Monroe United Methodist Church and in past years participated in the choir, as a church school teacher, youth group counselor, and member of many committees. He spent countless hours during the 1970's and 80's preparing the site and helping plan and construct the present church building at 2227 4th Street. Robert was active in Cub Scouts while his sons were involved, and served as a Cubmaster and leadership trainer.
Always interested in education, Robert helped organize the scholarship program of the Green County University of Wisconsin Alumni Club, a program that grants scholarships to graduating Green County high school seniors. He was awarded the University Alumni Association Spark Plug Award in 2005 in recognition of his forty-one years devoted to that program.
Robert's hobbies centered on activities with his family, and included boating, tropical fish, a go-kart track, earth-moving projects, and model railroading. He constructed an extensive model railroad in his basement and enjoyed showing it to young friends and relatives. A major interest was computer programming, which occupied him until his health declined.
Robert is survived by his wife Ruth of Monroe, his sons Robert (Maurene) of Overland Park, KS, and Daniel (Laurie) of New York, NY; and a sister Virginia Crandall of New Haven, CT. He also leaves five grandchildren: Andrea (Craig) Nolen, Lisa (C.J.) Langenhop, Annie, Garret, and Kirsten Crandall; and one great granddaughter, Cleo Nolen. A sister-in-law Esther (Kenneth) Crandall and many cousins, nieces, and nephews make up Robert's extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Maxine (Glenn) Hillary and Marjorie J. Crandall; brother-in-law, Dr. Glenn Hillery; and a nephew, Glenn Elliott Hillery.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 28th at noon at the Monroe United Methodist Church with Reverend Randy Booth officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. Inurnment will be in Burrett Cemetery, Winnebago, IL at a later date. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established in his name. The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family. To share a memory or sign the guestbook go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.
In 1948 he left study at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, to join the U.S. Navy. He served aboard the destroyers Roan and Perry, and the LST 1090. He alternated his two terms of enlistment in the Navy with attendance at the university, from which he graduated in 1953 with a degree in business administration.
On January 3, 1953, Robert married Ruth Carol Hildebrand in Greencastle, Indiana, and they had two sons, Robert Alan and Daniel Dwight.
Robert spent his life as a businessman in Monroe, first with the family tire and oil distribution business, Crandall, Inc., until 1987, and later with Systems Management Group, Inc., the company he founded.
He was a member of the Monroe United Methodist Church and in past years participated in the choir, as a church school teacher, youth group counselor, and member of many committees. He spent countless hours during the 1970's and 80's preparing the site and helping plan and construct the present church building at 2227 4th Street. Robert was active in Cub Scouts while his sons were involved, and served as a Cubmaster and leadership trainer.
Always interested in education, Robert helped organize the scholarship program of the Green County University of Wisconsin Alumni Club, a program that grants scholarships to graduating Green County high school seniors. He was awarded the University Alumni Association Spark Plug Award in 2005 in recognition of his forty-one years devoted to that program.
Robert's hobbies centered on activities with his family, and included boating, tropical fish, a go-kart track, earth-moving projects, and model railroading. He constructed an extensive model railroad in his basement and enjoyed showing it to young friends and relatives. A major interest was computer programming, which occupied him until his health declined.
Robert is survived by his wife Ruth of Monroe, his sons Robert (Maurene) of Overland Park, KS, and Daniel (Laurie) of New York, NY; and a sister Virginia Crandall of New Haven, CT. He also leaves five grandchildren: Andrea (Craig) Nolen, Lisa (C.J.) Langenhop, Annie, Garret, and Kirsten Crandall; and one great granddaughter, Cleo Nolen. A sister-in-law Esther (Kenneth) Crandall and many cousins, nieces, and nephews make up Robert's extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Maxine (Glenn) Hillary and Marjorie J. Crandall; brother-in-law, Dr. Glenn Hillery; and a nephew, Glenn Elliott Hillery.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 28th at noon at the Monroe United Methodist Church with Reverend Randy Booth officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. Inurnment will be in Burrett Cemetery, Winnebago, IL at a later date. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established in his name. The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family. To share a memory or sign the guestbook go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.