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Benjamin Croutch Obituary
BENJAMIN A. CROUTCH
April 23, 1927 - Dec. 21, 2010
Benjamin Croutch, 83, of El Centro passed away on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 of Cancer.
He was born April 23, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois and was married to Sylvia Kay on April 22, 1972 in Las Vegas NV. He served in the United States Army, from 1944 - 1945. He attended the University of Southern California and earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Education. From 1959 - 1984 he was an Associate Superintendent of schools at the Imperial County Office of Education in charge of Special Services and Special Schools. He also taught in Oregon grades 7th through 12th and in Caracus, Venezuela Kindergarten through 9th grade, a Consultant and lecturer throughout California. Services to Professional and Civic Organizations: member of Phi Delta Kappa, Past President Education Center of California Teachers Association, member of California Elementary School Administrators Imperial County, Imperial County Association for Exceptional Children. He was a Charter President of Imperial County Branch, of International. Reading Association, Information Officer and Director of Imperial County Chapter, of California Association for the Neurology Handicap Children, Parent Teachers' Association at Kepley School, Past Board of Director and Boys work Chairman with the Optimists International. Past Director Boys Club of America, Served on the Executive committee of the Kennedy Foundation on Mental Retardation - Special Olympics Executive, member the Masonic lodge, Area Agency on Aging and Area Board 13.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother Lewis R. and Rose Ella Croutch; brother and sister-in-law Raymond and Ruth Croutch.
Benjamin is survived by his wife; 3 stepchildren; and 3 nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday, January 3, 2011 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Hems Brothers Mortuary in El Centro, Services will be held on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 10 a.m. at Hems Brothers Mortuary in El Centro, Private burial will follow.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Sunrise Optimist Club of El Centro or American Cancer Society of El Centro.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Benjamin Croutch
Vicente Ortiz
December 28, 2024
He was such a fine man. He has been a blessing to me and my family. It was an honor to have him as a mentor.
Angela McNeece
January 3, 2011
Kay and family, Ben leaves a legacy behind in support of public education for all students in Imperial Valley. He has been a true friend to Imperial Valley Center for Exceptional Children and a mentor to so many of us. He was always thinking of others and reaching out to those in need. He will be missed and our prayers go out to you,
Nancy Chadd
December 31, 2010
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Lenard Wong
December 30, 2010
Saddened to hear of his passing and will remember him well. My condolences to his family.
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December 30, 2010
Ben will be greatly missed by so many in Imperial Valley. It seems he was always doing something for someone else. God bless his family.
Sonny Stires
Vicente Ortiz
December 30, 2010
Mr. Crouch, was one of my mentors .I've always considered him a great man whose life was always centered around helping others.He helped the handicapped and their families, always striving to improve their lives. He was also a great boss always encouraging. As an instructor ...always there to help.. to teach.. to make you the best teacher you could be.It was both an honor and a blessing to know him and to have him as a great influence in my life. Thank you Mr.Crouch and thank you to the Crouch family.God Bless. Vicente (Vince) ortiz
December 29, 2010
Kay and Family, We are deeply saddened by Ben's passing. The following is his impact on our lives:
Ben,
There have been three important men in my life --- my father, you and Dick Baldwin.
My father raised me and gave me values that allowed me to face challenges. Dick Baldwin instilled the insight to view situations as they could be, not as they are.
But, you saw potential in me that I did not know existed. I first met you at Meadows Union School. I was a first year teacher on an emergency credential teaching the fifth grade. You were a county office consultant for P.E.. You invited me to play volley ball with Dutch and some others at Wilson Junior High.
During our meetings, I would express my concern about students who were having difficulty with the learning process and you would guide me to methods and techniques to try and solve specific learning difficulties. Who know we were working in the area of “learning disabilities� before it was an educational category.
Your guidance lead me to investigate learning modalities, International Reading Association (and a trip to the world conference in Denmark), CANHC, and a Masters Degree in Learning Disabilities. While getting the masters degree, you suggested I take a course on “Physically Handicapped.� You said there would be a job at Kepley School when I returned to the valley.
Then we, you and I, were off to an ever demanding career with the county office of education. Between you and Lennie Slayton, I obtained credentials allowed me to teach and adminstrate all grade levels and most disabilities. And, our main objective was to improve the educational environment of children.
Together, we brought cutting edge services and teachers to the Imperial Valley. You introduced me to SEACO (Special Education Administrators of County Offices). This opened up the educational experiences that allowed us to develop coordinated services to children with severe disabilities throughout the county: IVCEC, Community Based Instruction, PL 94-142, Home School Classes, Integration into Regular School Programs and Classes (Mainstreaming), to mention a few.
During these years, you taught me to manage my “Red Hair� (now gray) temper with people who were playing politics, rather than providing services to children. You also widened my vision by including “other duties as assigned.� I learned to dissect and develop budgets, became the “Asbestos Abatement� officer, School Bus Transportation Officer, etc…….
Under your tutelage, I lived a rewarding 30 years of teaching and administrating in Imperial County. In addition, the experiences and guidance you gave me allowed me to become a State Consultant with the Fiscal Crisis and Management Team for another 14 years.
All of the above was accomplished with your influence in my decisions as a professional.
On the personal side, you introduced me to people with the same interests in providing services to children, which lead to the Optimist Club, Dutch Bischke, softball tournaments, Meadows Union Girls Cross Country Team.
Ben, you have had a profound effect on my life and I want to thank you for your belief in me and the perseverance to push me to new frontiers.
God Bless,
Bill and Claudine
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