J. Hewes Crispin

J. Hewes Crispin July 23, 1915 - Sept. 5, 2010 J. Hewes Crispin passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Barbara at the age of 95. Born in Minnesota in 1915, Hewes moved with his family to California as a young boy. He attended Stanford University where he received his Engineering degree and then received his MBA at Harvard University. In between earning these degrees, he had a distinguished military career as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army. He received the Army Commendation of service in 1946 and had a profound honor and love for his country. Hewes joined Bechtel Corporation in San Francisco and became Senior Vice President of Finance. While living in San Francisco, he also served as President of the World Trade Club. He married Marjorie Holmes Simpson in 1966, and she and her three daughters moved to San Francisco to join Hewes. Hewes retired from Bechtel in 1975, and he and Marjorie moved to Santa Barbara where they began a new and very productive life. Hewes became involved with the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and served as president from 1986 to 1988. In 1995, in gratitude for this service, he was the first recipient of the Wright S. Ludington Award. He was Treasurer of the Valley Club and later became President. He also was President of the San Barbara Club in 1995 and continued to actively support the club until 2005. Hewes had a ferocious enthusiasm for each new day, and the strength and wisdom he embodied provided a constant anchor and source of wisdom for all that knew him. His keen wit and dry sense of humor could not be ignored and the extent of the lives he touched was extraordinary. He is survived by his beloved wife Marjorie, his three stepdaughters Barbara (Ed) Meserve, Diane Cunningham, and Carol (Kevin) Colgate, his two grandchildren Rob (Leslie) Meserve and Scott (Mercedes) Meserve and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Elizabeth and his nephews and nieces Bill (Sally) Crispin, Vail Bixler, Jay Crispin, Eric (Nancee) Crispin, Christina Leite, and Angela Baduel. He will always be remembered driving his cherished '56 T-Bird. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Santa Barbara Museum of Art at 1600 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA. 93101