Dr. Kenneth William Crowley

Dr. Kenneth William Crowley January 9, 1929 - March 14, 2012 Dr. Kenneth William Crowley, 83, of State College, passed away, Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at Mount Nittany Medical Center. Kenneth was born Jan. 9, 1929, in New York City to the late Elsie Graves and James Crowley. Dr. Crowley, formerly of Connecticut, graduated from Yale University in 1949 with a Bachelors degree in civil engineering. He received his masters and doctorate from New York Polytechnic Institute in 1972, becoming a Doctor of Philosophy for transportation planning. He joined the United State Air Force shortly after graduating from Yale. He joined first as a drill sergeant and then finishing his tour as a first lieutenant before receiving his honorable discharge. When he returned from his time served, he reconnected with old friends and found again a lovely woman, Ann Connors, whom he would marry October 27, 1955. They shared life and love in many places and raised three children together in New York City and State College. After schooling, military, and marriage, Dr. Crowley enjoyed a successful career. He worked for the New York Port Authority while working towards his Master's Degree and Doctorate in the city, and afterwards, moved his family to State College, where he taught at Penn State University for a number of years. After his time teaching, he left the university to join the Institute of Research, where he remained until his retirement. He extended his career after retiring by functioning as an expert witness to vehicular accidents for Robson Lapina Inc. Kenneth enjoyed many activities throughout his life, including reading, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Ann Crowley; and their children, Kenneth Connor Crowley and his wife, Catherine, of State College, Elizabeth Clare Crowley-Watkins and her husband, Michael Lee, of State College. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his grandchildren, Michael James Watkins and his wife, Amber Aleman, of State College, James Connor Crowley, of State College, Cassandra Alicia Crowley-Dick and her husband, Jason, of Tyrone, and Jessica Clare Watkins-Benedict, her husband, Jacob, and their daughter, Riley. Kenneth was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathleen A. Crowley. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, with the Rev. Charles Amershek, Jr. officiating. Committal will be in Shiloh Cemetery, College Township. Memorial contributions may be made to Centre County PAWS or to Centre Volunteers in Medicine.