Robert Edmund Cruce

Robert Edmund Cruce passed away on September 6,202, in Killeen, Texas, after a brief struggle with Covid.

Robert was born on June 4, 1941, in Cleburne, Texas, to Laura and Marvin Cruce. He lived in Glen Rose, Texas, until the age of 5 when his parents moved to Fort Worth, Texas. After graduation from Amon Carter Riverside High School in 1959, Robert attended Abilene Christian College in Abilene, Texas, where he majored in romance languages and minored in English. He graduated with a BA degree in 1965 and took a position with the Killeen ISD in Killeen, Texas, teaching English and Spanish. After teaching 7 years, he transitioned to employment with the U.S. Department if Defense at Fort Hood as an Educational Technician, eventually rising through the ranks to become the head of the Education Services Department in Italy. During his 41-year tenure with the DoD, Robert served in Germany and for 5 years and in Italy for 11 years. While living in Europe, he traveled extensively. In 2016, he retired to his home in Harker Heights, Texas.

Robert was a skilled linguist fluent in Spanish, German, and Italian. His gregarious personality enabled him to make friends easily, not just in his work environment, but also among the local populations wherever he lived. In addition to his occupation, Robert devoted himself to many interests. He raised and showed wire-haired terriers. He had an aviary for canaries and was often hired to judge at bird shows. He briefly owned a pet shop in Copperas Cove, and he always had a menagerie of animals. Prior to moving into assisted living, he had two cats, two guinea pigs, two chameleons, three geckos, six snakes, and ten large aquariums full of fish. In addition to his love of animals, he adored flowers and lined his driveway with colorful blooms every year. He also worked part-time at a nursery, taking pay in plants. Robert was an avid collector of things, which he carefully organized, catalogued, and displayed. Beanie Babies, fancy walking canes, chicken pitchers, figurines, Painted Ponies, and Painted Cows were just some of the things he acquired. One of his favorite things to collect was anything pertaining to owls, and he became known as "Owlman".

Robert was predeceased by his parents and his younger brother, Fred Cruce. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Jeanie Cruce, nephew, Chad Cruce (Amie), and niece, Chelby Dugger, his beloved cousin, Michael Parvin, and devoted friends Margaret and John Henderson and Gretchen Williams. His many dear friends scattered around the the world will miss him as well. The family would like to thank Robert's dedicated caregivers at Rosewood Villas for their tender care during the ten months he was in residence. Robert desired no funeral service. He asked that any memorials made in his memory be directed to Amy's House (www.amyshouse-temple.org/) at 2114 S 15th St., Temple, Texas 76504 or to St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/). 

Crotty Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Belton, Texas, is charged with the arrangements.