Thomas M. Crosby Jr.

Crosby, Thomas M., Jr. Age 74, of Medina, Minnesota, passed away of pancreatic cancer May 26, 2013. Tom's greatest gift was a profound sense of responsibility to family, career and community. He was widely known for his leadership on numerous nonprofit boards and civic projects, including being elected to three terms as mayor of Medina. He attended The Blake School, Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, and Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Following college, he joined the Navy and served two years of active duty as an officer aboard the Gearing-class destroyer USS Herbert J. Thomas (DD-833). Following military service, he returned to New Haven and graduated from Yale Law School in 1965. He married his wife, Ellie Rauch, in June of that year. Tom started his 43-year career at Faegre & Benson (now Faegre Baker Daniels) where he served as a general corporate counsel, but also became a specialist in real estate law, laying the foundation for one of the future strengths of the firm. Tom's direct approach to problem solving made him a sought-after adviser and trustee for corporate boards, nonprofits, and many prominent families. He became a partner in 1972, a member of the management team in 1981, and ultimately the managing partner. Tom's colleagues invariably describe him as a true gentleman who never flaunted the power of his position, and showed consideration to all. Reaching the firm's mandatory retirement age in 2008, Tom chose to continue practicing law independently. Above all, Tom was known for his diligence and ability to see the "big picture." He put in countless hours on the boards of the Minnesota Orchestra, United Way, Abbott-Northwestern, the Walker Art Center and many more. He thought it was important to serve repeated terms at his favored organizations because "effective service requires sustained involvement." Tom took great pride in his family and loved adventurous family vacations as well as working around their home producing maple syrup, bailing hay, splitting wood and driving tractors - particularly with his nine grandchildren. For more than 40 years, he and Ellie tapped the maple trees on their property in Medina. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas M. Crosby, and mother, Ella Pillsbury Crosby. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ellie; sons, Stewart (Lesley), Brewster (Rebecca), Grant (Petra) and daughter, Brooke Reed (Julian) and nine grandchildren: Nicholas, Payton, Crosby, Elise, Ann, Molly, Hollis, Brewster Jr. and Hella; siblings: David (Kitty), Eleanor (Fred) Winston, Mary Dolan, Lucy (Robert) Mitchell, Robert (Teri). Memorial service to be held at the Guthrie Theater, Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Walker Art Center, United Way, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minnesota Orchestra or Guthrie Theater. Gearty-Delmore 763-553-1411
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.