Robert D Crabtree

Reverend Robert Dee Crabtree passed on April 18, 2024. He was born to Cecil and Wanda (Bennett) Crabtree on November 11, 1935. Shortly, after graduating from High School in Kansas City in 1953, he attended Central Bible College where he graduated in 1959 and was also licensed as a minister with the Southern Missouri District of the Assemblies of God. Later while living in Cleveland, he earned his Master of Arts degree at John Carroll University in 1966.
It was during his college years that he married the love of his life, Roberta (Davidson) Crabtree in June of 1957. Their three children Doug, Dan, and Deonna were born between 1960 and 1969.
Rev. Crabtree served in a variety of ministry roles, impacting both the local church, world missions, and the Ohio Ministry Network. He served as a pastor from 1959-66 and again from 1977-83; as a missionary in Europe from 1966-77; and lastly as the Superintendent for the Ohio Network from 1983-2004.
As a missionary, he served in Austria and Yugoslavia, through 1974. While there he pioneered the first AG Bible school behind the Iron Curtain in Zagreb, Yugoslavia (Croatia). From 1974 through 1977, Rev. Crabtree served as president of Continental Bible College in Brussels, Belgium.
While serving as Superintendent for the Ohio Network of the Assemblies of God, Rev. Crabtree was known for launching new churches, helping establish new urban ministries, encouraging peer relationships among ministers, resourcing and expanding the district's missionary force around the globe, and developing the Heartland Conference Retreat Center. Since its establishment, the Retreat Center has become known as one of the best retreat centers in Ohio.
In addition to his legacy of leadership in Ohio, Rev. Crabtree served the broader Assemblies of God constituency as a General Presbyter, and as a member of the boards of directors for Central Bible College, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, and Northpointe Bible College. He also served on the leadership team for the International Royal Rangers Ministry as Field Advisor.
During his retirement years, Rev. Crabtree traveled for missions, assisting missionaries and ministries with fundraising, spoke in churches, and taught in the local Bible College.
Rev. Crabtree is survived by his wife of 66 years, Roberta (Davidson) Crabtree. Two sons, Doug (Mari), Lakeland, FL, Dan (Loralie), Haverhill, MA, and daughter, Deonna, Springfield, MO. His legacy will also continue to live on through his 5 grandchildren: Niki, Colby, Justin, Joshua, and Kaylie, and 2 great-grandchildren: Atticus and Cecilia. He is survived by his sister, Virginia Wennerberg, Overland Park, KS. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Wanda Crabtree.
A memorial service and celebration of Rev. Crabtree's life and legacy will be held on Monday, April 29, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Central Assembly of God in Springfield, MO. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, April 28, from 5-7 at Greenlawn North Funeral Home.
A memorial gift in honor of Rev. Robert Crabtree can be designated to the Continental Theological Seminary for a ministerial scholarship or to the Heartland Conference Retreat Center. Send gifts for Continental Theological Seminary to Assemblies of God World Missions, 1445 N Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO 65802. Gifts should be designated AGWM Memorial Fund 44, Robert Crabtree CTS. Send gifts for Heartland Conference Retreat Center to Ohio Ministries Network, 8405 Pulsar Place, Columbus, Ohio 43240. Gifts should be designated as "Crabtree Memorial".