Timothy Joseph Crutchfield

Timothy Joseph Crutchfield, devoted husband, beloved father, loyal friend, dedicated attorney, competitive athlete, coach, and sports fan, passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts with his wife and children by his side, after living with leukemia for three years.  

A New Hampshire native for his entire life, Tim was born in Concord on March 9, 1960, to the late Robert and Anne (Coffey) Crutchfield. Known for his grit, work ethic, and smile, Tim made a positive impact at each school he attended, all in the Granite State. Tim graduated from Bishop Brady High School in 1978, where he served on the student council and played football and basketball. Admired and respected by his peers, Tim was voted “Best Dressed,” “Most Popular,” and “Class Clown.” He completed a post-graduate year at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, where he excelled in cross-country, basketball, and baseball and earned two high honors: the Henry Mann Silver Award (chosen by the faculty for his ability to balance academics, athletics, and the arts with integrity and purpose) and the Class of 1920 Award (selected by his peers for the student who best embodies the school’s values and the spirit in which the class wished to be remembered). At the University of New Hampshire, Tim played on the men’s varsity lacrosse team and earned a degree in economics in 1984 from the Whittemore School of Business. As a senior, he won the prestigious Whoop Snively Award, given to the player who best exemplifies leadership, sportsmanship, and a deep commitment to community. 

 In 1987, Tim married his college sweetheart, best friend, and love of his life, Heather Mae Reynolds, at St. Paul’s School (SPS), where they made their home together for the next 38 years. During this time, they welcomed four children: Ashley, TJ, Connor, and Madison, the absolute joys of Tim’s life. In the SPS community, Tim was known as the ultimate family man and an avid supporter of the athletic teams, especially those coached by his wife.

Tim’s early career included stints at Blue Cross Blue Shield, Southern New Hampshire University as the head men’s lacrosse coach, the United Way, and Citizens Bank, after which he became a busy stay-at-home parent, helping to establish the Children’s Learning Center at St. Paul’s School. Motivated by a passion for justice and a dream of practicing law, Tim matriculated at Franklin Pierce School of Law, earning his J.D. in 1996, with his four children and wife proud and present at his graduation. 

 Tim had a long and distinguished career in public service. He began as an attorney with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services in 1997. Four years later, Tim became a Hearings Examiner at the New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS). It was at NHRS where he found his professional niche, ultimately serving as Deputy Director and Chief Legal Counsel. Tim understood the tremendous responsibility of his role as a fiduciary, guiding decisions on behalf of members, retirees, and beneficiaries with integrity, insight, and unwavering dedication. His counsel was deeply valued by the NHRS Board of Trustees, the Independent Investment Committee, and staff. A trusted leader and colleague, Tim was known for his collaborative spirit, thoughtful mentorship, and clarity of communication. Even throughout his illness, he remained fully committed to his work.

 Passionate about sports and the lessons learned from being on a team, Tim played, coached, and supported many athletic teams with hustle and humility. He served on the Board of the Concord Boys & Girls Club. He coached numerous youth soccer, basketball, and lacrosse teams, including assisting with both the SPS boys lacrosse team in his early years and the SPS girls lacrosse team, supporting the head coach, his wife, Heather. Until two serious knee injuries sidelined Tim, he played city basketball, as well as lacrosse for the Concord Budmen Lacrosse Club and later for the Cloud Splitter Lacrosse Club out of Lake Placid, making the over-40 U.S.A. Lacrosse Team that competed in the World Lacrosse Championship in London, Ontario, Canada. Tim was also a huge Duke basketball fan. He loved March Madness, Boston-based teams, college sports, the NBA, and the WNBA. He rarely missed one of his children’s athletic games or performances at St. Paul’s School, Connecticut College, Bates College, Boston College, Hamilton College, and Duke University. Tim’s competitive spirit and athleticism never waned, as he tracked his walking pace and steps throughout his cancer treatments, always looking to improve his stats.

 Tim had a joy for life that radiated in his smile. He believed in showing up, showing love, embracing the moment, and always being kind. He found peace and happiness in taking walks, fishing at Turkey Pond and Portsmouth Harbor, hiking, trips out west, riding his Peloton, biking alongside his kids on a run, washing the cars, cooking, and spending time with his loved ones. A man of deep Catholic faith, Tim began each day with prayers.  

His family was the center of his world. In his final week, he celebrated his son, Connor’s, acceptance into the Orthopaedic Surgery residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and his graduation from Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

 Filled with quiet strength and optimism, Tim faced blood cancer heroically. He did not complain or indulge in self-pity. His village of support, led by his family, fueled his will to live. For their tireless compassion and care, Tim and his family genuinely loved and appreciated all the nurses of Unit 7B, DFCI infusion, MICU, and SICU, and the many doctors at Brigham and Women’s and Dana-Farber, especially Dr. Marlise Luskin and Dr. Vincent Ho. 

 Tim is survived by his wife of 38 years, Heather Reynolds Crutchfield; his four children, Ashley, TJ, Connor, and Madison Crutchfield; his three brothers, Robert, Kevin, and Matthew Crutchfield; his sister, Cara Goodnough; and several nieces and nephews.

 A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at the Chapel of St. Peter and St. Paul, St. Paul’s School, 325 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH. A reception at the School will follow the service. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for those whose health allows to consider these options to support cancer patients and a cure: donate blood, platelets, or stem cells, as these donations continuously extended Tim’s life; join a walk, run, or bike ride for a cure for cancer. Gifts directed to St. Paul’s School Athletics or Dana-Farber would be meaningful ways to honor Tim.