"I plan to live forever. So far, so good." Those were the words that Rob loved to proclaim often. I think he truly had himself convinced that he would never die. Alas, the end finally came, and might have surprised him if he'd been aware of it.
Rob Crooker passed quietly on February 7, 2020, after a stroke, while he rested in his big easy chair in the Danville home he loved. His death was peaceful. He was the same age as his cherished 97th Army Infantry Division in WWII.
Rob is survived by his only son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, younger brother, and former daughter-in-law. Rob was predeceased by his sister Marilyn Hoover and his partner of 14 years Normalee Peszynski.
Rob was married for 59 years to his beloved wife Ellen, who passed in 2003. Rob and Ellen began their life in Danville in 1964, in the home where Rob remained until his death, making him one of the first and longest-living residents of his neighborhood.
Born in Topeka, Kansas, Rob was raised in Michigan near Lake St. Clair. He graduated from Washburn University in Topeka with a BFA in Fine Art and received recognition for his watercolor paintings at a private exhibition in Topeka. His career began in golf. A member of Crow Canyon Country Club since its opening in 1977, he played until age 90, but didn't relinquish his membership and activities until he was 96.
Rob continued to paint infrequently and played a lot of golf, but his most memorable times were the ones he spent attending army reunions with his buddies and their wives all over the US and the festive celebrations in the Czech Republic every five years. He was decorated with commemorative medals in Prague from Czech President Vaclav Klaus for his participation in the liberation of many provinces in Czechoslovakia at the end of WWII. Rob also served in the occupation of Japan after the war ended.
His marriage to Ellen was a happy one, touring the world, tending to their Danville landscaping, enjoying their friendships with neighbors, all kinds of entertainment, sports, and music. He adored jazz music most of all from the swing era through current musicians like John Pizarelli. He even sang part-time with Gene Krupa's band during the 1940's.
You might have seen him in numerous Danville 4th of July parades, riding with former Mayor Robert Storer. He brought charm and friendliness to all he met, always willing to share a good laugh and a story. Think of him whenever you hear a happy Dixieland Jazz tune.
A remembrance was held in his honor on Sunday, March 29 at the Crow Canyon Country Club in Danville.
Rob Crooker passed quietly on February 7, 2020, after a stroke, while he rested in his big easy chair in the Danville home he loved. His death was peaceful. He was the same age as his cherished 97th Army Infantry Division in WWII.
Rob is survived by his only son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, younger brother, and former daughter-in-law. Rob was predeceased by his sister Marilyn Hoover and his partner of 14 years Normalee Peszynski.
Rob was married for 59 years to his beloved wife Ellen, who passed in 2003. Rob and Ellen began their life in Danville in 1964, in the home where Rob remained until his death, making him one of the first and longest-living residents of his neighborhood.
Born in Topeka, Kansas, Rob was raised in Michigan near Lake St. Clair. He graduated from Washburn University in Topeka with a BFA in Fine Art and received recognition for his watercolor paintings at a private exhibition in Topeka. His career began in golf. A member of Crow Canyon Country Club since its opening in 1977, he played until age 90, but didn't relinquish his membership and activities until he was 96.
Rob continued to paint infrequently and played a lot of golf, but his most memorable times were the ones he spent attending army reunions with his buddies and their wives all over the US and the festive celebrations in the Czech Republic every five years. He was decorated with commemorative medals in Prague from Czech President Vaclav Klaus for his participation in the liberation of many provinces in Czechoslovakia at the end of WWII. Rob also served in the occupation of Japan after the war ended.
His marriage to Ellen was a happy one, touring the world, tending to their Danville landscaping, enjoying their friendships with neighbors, all kinds of entertainment, sports, and music. He adored jazz music most of all from the swing era through current musicians like John Pizarelli. He even sang part-time with Gene Krupa's band during the 1940's.
You might have seen him in numerous Danville 4th of July parades, riding with former Mayor Robert Storer. He brought charm and friendliness to all he met, always willing to share a good laugh and a story. Think of him whenever you hear a happy Dixieland Jazz tune.
A remembrance was held in his honor on Sunday, March 29 at the Crow Canyon Country Club in Danville.
"I plan to live forever. So far, so good." Those were the words that Rob loved to proclaim often. I think he truly had himself convinced that he would never die. Alas, the end finally came, and might have surprised him if he'd been aware of it.
Rob Crooker passed quietly on February 7, 2020, after a stroke, while he rested in his big easy chair in the Danville home he loved. His death was peaceful. He was the same age as his cherished 97th Army Infantry Division in WWII.
Rob is survived by his only son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, younger brother, and former daughter-in-law. Rob was predeceased by his sister Marilyn Hoover and his partner of 14 years Normalee Peszynski.
Rob was married for 59 years to his beloved wife Ellen, who passed in 2003. Rob and Ellen began their life in Danville in 1964, in the home where Rob remained until his death, making him one of the first and longest-living residents of his neighborhood.
Born in Topeka, Kansas, Rob was raised in Michigan near Lake St. Clair. He graduated from Washburn University in Topeka with a BFA in Fine Art and received recognition for his watercolor paintings at a private exhibition in Topeka. His career began in golf. A member of Crow Canyon Country Club since its opening in 1977, he played until age 90, but didn't relinquish his membership and activities until he was 96.
Rob continued to paint infrequently and played a lot of golf, but his most memorable times were the ones he spent attending army reunions with his buddies and their wives all over the US and the festive celebrations in the Czech Republic every five years. He was decorated with commemorative medals in Prague from Czech President Vaclav Klaus for his participation in the liberation of many provinces in Czechoslovakia at the end of WWII. Rob also served in the occupation of Japan after the war ended.
His marriage to Ellen was a happy one, touring the world, tending to their Danville landscaping, enjoying their friendships with neighbors, all kinds of entertainment, sports, and music. He adored jazz music most of all from the swing era through current musicians like John Pizarelli. He even sang part-time with Gene Krupa's band during the 1940's.
You might have seen him in numerous Danville 4th of July parades, riding with former Mayor Robert Storer. He brought charm and friendliness to all he met, always willing to share a good laugh and a story. Think of him whenever you hear a happy Dixieland Jazz tune.
A remembrance was held in his honor on Sunday, March 29 at the Crow Canyon Country Club in Danville.
Rob Crooker passed quietly on February 7, 2020, after a stroke, while he rested in his big easy chair in the Danville home he loved. His death was peaceful. He was the same age as his cherished 97th Army Infantry Division in WWII.
Rob is survived by his only son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, younger brother, and former daughter-in-law. Rob was predeceased by his sister Marilyn Hoover and his partner of 14 years Normalee Peszynski.
Rob was married for 59 years to his beloved wife Ellen, who passed in 2003. Rob and Ellen began their life in Danville in 1964, in the home where Rob remained until his death, making him one of the first and longest-living residents of his neighborhood.
Born in Topeka, Kansas, Rob was raised in Michigan near Lake St. Clair. He graduated from Washburn University in Topeka with a BFA in Fine Art and received recognition for his watercolor paintings at a private exhibition in Topeka. His career began in golf. A member of Crow Canyon Country Club since its opening in 1977, he played until age 90, but didn't relinquish his membership and activities until he was 96.
Rob continued to paint infrequently and played a lot of golf, but his most memorable times were the ones he spent attending army reunions with his buddies and their wives all over the US and the festive celebrations in the Czech Republic every five years. He was decorated with commemorative medals in Prague from Czech President Vaclav Klaus for his participation in the liberation of many provinces in Czechoslovakia at the end of WWII. Rob also served in the occupation of Japan after the war ended.
His marriage to Ellen was a happy one, touring the world, tending to their Danville landscaping, enjoying their friendships with neighbors, all kinds of entertainment, sports, and music. He adored jazz music most of all from the swing era through current musicians like John Pizarelli. He even sang part-time with Gene Krupa's band during the 1940's.
You might have seen him in numerous Danville 4th of July parades, riding with former Mayor Robert Storer. He brought charm and friendliness to all he met, always willing to share a good laugh and a story. Think of him whenever you hear a happy Dixieland Jazz tune.
A remembrance was held in his honor on Sunday, March 29 at the Crow Canyon Country Club in Danville.
