William Ryn "Bill" Crook

William Ryn Crook, known affectionately as Bill, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2024, at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, California, with his cherished daughters, Michael and Rachel, by his side. He was 74 years old.

Bill was a loving and loyal man who valued respect, trust, and honor-qualities he both recognized and embodied. He worked tirelessly to live a dignified life, providing for his family and leaving a personal and professional legacy reflected in the hearts of his children, grandchildren, friends, and the beautiful landscapes he designed. His actions often spoke louder than his words, evidenced by his unwavering support for his daughters, his noble responsibility for his disabled sister, and his dedication to planting tens of thousands of trees throughout his career as a distinguished landscape architect. He took pride in preserving the Playa Vista saltwater marsh in Marina del Rey while serving as Principal at The Collaborative West Landscape Architecture. In later career years, he found satisfaction in utilizing his decades of experience as a hands-on designer as he mentored younger designers at Studio PAD Inc., an award-winning landscape design firm in Orange County. Bill's meticulous care for his houseplants, organized camping gear, and dedication to feeding local hummingbirds showcased his thoughtful nature.

Bill was a multifaceted individual, sometimes misunderstood due to his quiet demeanor. He valued family, freedom, personal space, autonomy, and the preservation of nature. This was evident in his extensive portfolio of landscape designs, his creative cooking, the life lessons he imparted to his daughters, and the tales of his free-roaming youth and rebellious twenties. Bill was steadfast in his opinions and independence, rooted in honor and truth. He was always ready to listen, despite his strong convictions. Traditional in some aspects, yet liberal and independent in others, he believed in mastering the correct way of doing things before experimenting or breaking the rules. He preferred a life of quality over excess, treasuring meaningful relationships over casual acquaintances.

Bill was a loving father, a loyal friend, a creative designer, a patient mentor, a caring brother, a responsible tenant, and a patriotic citizen. He was organized and punctual yet calm and unhurried. In his mid-life, he enjoyed deep-sea fishing off the coast of Mexico, camping with his family, and four-wheel driving through mountain backroads. In his later years, he cherished quieter moments reading, watching sunsets, talking to his daughters and taking his grandchildren to the playground and for ice cream. An environmentalist at heart, he was quick to recite the latin names of plants that he found interesting while on walks, and point out interesting design elements on buildings, in parks or even on city sidewalks.

Bill lived simply, valuing quality over quantity. Whether buying a new frying pan, suitcase, or car, he researched to find the best option with the highest quality and performance reviews. An idealist who took pride in details, he maintained a squeaky-clean credit score and a perpetually sparkling car, including his cherished classic Porsche 356.

Typically seen wearing Ray-Bans, a freshly pressed Reyn Spooner Hawaiian shirt, and faded Levis with Sperry Topsiders, Bill embraced the beach life. His airy Balboa Island apartment, perpetually filled with ocean breezes, was a sanctuary where he started each day with a strong cup of coffee, waiting for the morning sun to burn through the Newport Beach cloud cover.

Bill was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on September 6, 1949, to James Crook and Eleanore Ward. The family moved to Sierra Madre, Southern California, where his father, retired from the military, served as a volunteer firefighter. Bill fondly recalled his classic 1950s childhood, reminiscent of scenes from 'The Sandlot'. He and his neighborhood friends played baseball, rode bikes, and frequented the local dime store for sodas, candy, slot cars, and comic books. After his father's unexpected passing during Bill's middle school years, the family moved several times, creating challenges but also fond memories, such as the year they lived on a farm in Hollister, California. There, Bill learned to care for livestock, load hay bales, and slaughter cattle, finding satisfaction in working with the earth and his hands. Eventually settling in Orange County, Bill graduated from Corona Del Mar High School in the late 1960s. His first job after graduation was cleaning the beaches on Balboa Island, the same place where he would spend the last 15 years of his life.

Bill is survived by his daughters, Michael Sarah Crook and Rachel Anne Black; and his sister, Jennifer Fletcher. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eleanore Ward and James Crook, and his brother, David Crook.

Bill's legacy as a dedicated landscape architect, loving father and grandfather, and loyal friend will be remembered by all who knew him. His commitment to the environment and the beauty he created will continue to inspire those who walk the paths he designed. Bill's family and friends will miss him dearly, cherishing the memories and the time spent with him.