Clinton W "Clint" Crusberg

1957 - 2021

On Tuesday, January 26, 2021, Clinton W. Crusberg, D.V.M., devoted husband, loving father of two children, and doting grandfather of two grandchildren, passed away peacefully in the arms of his wife and children, at the age of 63 in Houston, TX.
Clint was born on August 25, 1957, in Hartford, CT to Walter and Naomi Crusberg. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from New Mexico State University in 1981, and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in May of 1985. He married his high school sweetheart, Lisa Duffield on June 23, 1979, at Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, NM. They were blessed with a son Jared in 1981 and a daughter Jennifer in 1983.
Clint recognized at a young age he wanted to be a veterinarian and thanks to the Jack London novel, "Call of the Wild", he dreamed of living his own adventure in Alaska; so he combined the two loves and joined the US Army Veterinary Corps in 1986. He was commissioned as a Captain; and asked to be stationed in Alaska, where after short assignments to TX, and NM, he got his wish and was assigned to Fort Wainwright, AK in 1988. He packed up his young family and took two weeks to travel from Florida to Alaska, stopping at every landmark and state park, camping along the way-it was quite the adventure. Over the course of the next four years, he earned numerous military awards and accommodations. He signed up for every opportunity the Army offered; earning his Expert Marksmanship badge, Airborne/Air Assault wings at Fort Benning, GA, his Emergency Field Medic Badge, and attending Officers Advanced Courses. He loved the adventure of it all. When the military gave him orders to leave Alaska in 1992, he opted to leave the military and opened a private mixed animal practice in Delta Junction, AK. He doctored all creatures, great and small, wild and domestic for the next 28 years; loving every minute, living his dream, and teaching his children to love it too. Some of his greatest stories revolved around hunting and fishing with his son and daughter or with friends and extended family members; the trophies on the wall speak for themselves.
He was a skilled outdoorsman who loved, camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, gold dredging, skiing, snowmobiling, and tried his hand at dog mushing. He volunteered for years on the Yukon Quest 1000 mile dog sled race, even serving as head veterinarian. He passed on his love of life to all who knew him. He was a lover of animals, music, books, ice hockey, and coin collecting. He was especially proud of his beautiful, green, and manicured lawn, working tirelessly to keep it free of pine cones (his nemesis). He was known for his quick wit, his infectious smile, robust belly laugh, and his kind and compassionate spirit.
He considered his greatest honor to be called "Deda" by his grandson Lucas and "Pop-Pop" by his granddaughter Peyton; they are what he lived for, and he showered them with all the love he could muster. His favorite time was spent in their company, just watching them learn and grow or teaching them a life skill. He always said, "Material things don't matter, life is only about the love of family".
Clint was preceded in death by his father, Walter C. Crusberg, LTC (R) USAF. He is survived by his wife Lisa (Duffield) Crusberg of Delta Junction, AK; his son Jared Crusberg and wife Jana, grandson Lucas Myles of San Angelo, TX; daughter Jennifer (Crusberg) Smith and husband Kyle, granddaughter Peyton Lynn of Salcha, AK, his mother Naomi (O'Donnell) Crusberg of Sugarland, TX; his brother Keith, wife Karen of Newport News, VA; sister Karen (Crusberg) Stone and husband Craig of Richmond, TX, brother Bill and wife Lea of Sugarland, TX; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He leaves behind his extended family of in-laws from Myles and Patricia Duffield of Clovis, NM lineage totaling 51 members. Most dear to Clint was his boyhood friendships spanning over 50 plus years who are forever friends and who will miss him every day to come. He loved the community and people of Delta Junction and they loved him; his passing has left a huge hole in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
There is no doubt that Clint is now walking with our Lord and Savior, regaling him with stories of his extraordinary life. In keeping with Clint's wishes, there will be no service; ashes to be spread at his favorite hunting and fishing locations, with final resting on the island of Kauai.