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Rusty Crawford Obituary
February 18, 2024
Alfred Eugene "Rusty" Crawford II, 83, of Council Bluffs, IA, died on February 18, 2024.
Rusty was born in St. Louis, MO in 1940 to Al and Mary Crawford, and grew up in Wichita, KS.
Rusty was a Captain in the US Army, serving during the Vietnam War from February of 1967 to January of 1970. A passionate proponent of higher education, Rusty received his PhD at the University of Northern Colorado, and worked his entire career in higher education, first at Wichita State University, and later at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Rusty was preceded in death by his beloved wife Carolyn, and his brother Rick. He is survived by his son Craig Crawford of Chicago, his daughter Danielle Crawford of Iowa City, and his sister M'Liz Crawford of Astoria, OR.
A celebration of life is being planned, and will be held at a future date where he lived, the Heritage at Fox Run living community in Council Bluffs, IA. Please email [email protected] if you wish to receive details about this service.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Rusty Crawford
Lee Mortimer
June 26, 2024
I worked with Rusty on the Urban 13 data exchange project when he was director of institutional research at the University of Nebraska Omaha. He was a wonderful man and a wonderful colleague.
Mark Bennett
March 5, 2024
Rusty became our mother's neighbor and beloved friend, enriching the last years of her life at Fox Run Assisted Living. He also became a dear friend of my sisters and me. I am grateful to have known Rusty and treasure the many warm, loving conversations together. His quick smile and abundant kindness always touched me. Rest in peace.
Barb & Mario Rivera
March 4, 2024
When they moved to Fox Run years ago, Rusty and Carolyn "adopted" my mom, Bumpy Bennett, to join their dining table. Mom enjoyed their company and admired Rusty´s devotion to Carolyn until her death. Bumpy and Rusty continued to eat meals together for several years, adding an assortment of dining companions who enjoyed laughing, kidding each other, telling stories, talking about travel & politics. With Danny, Terry, Diane, Carl, Helen they were never at a loss for conversation! They helped each other through sickness, Covid isolation, loss of family, friends & Rusty´s leg.
They lifted each other´s spirits and never ran out of great conversation topics. They were a family, and my siblings and Rusty´s kids, Terri´s wife, and Danny´s sister and her husband were always included when we were visiting.
They lost Danny, Terry, Carl, Helen and finally, Rusty helped us say goodbye to Bumpy. We adopted Rusty as family and we always hung out when we were in town. We talked by phone a lot, and planned to spend the afternoon with Rusty when we were in town Feb 16th. It turned out Rusty had been in the hospital, so we visited him there and as fate would have it, we were able to visit the next few days. He died peacefully about an hour after our last visit. What an honor to have his love, support and friendship.
Post Chaplain VFW District 10, FRA branch 276, American Legion Post 331
March 4, 2024
Thank you for your Service May you be Granted the Caisson of Honor to carry you on your Journey to a Restful Peace
Stella Watts
March 4, 2024
I remember both Rusty and Carolyn when they both work at UNO. Around the holidays, I enjoy doing caroling with them in the Eppley Admin. building by the winding staircase. They were such a lovely couple and great people. My sincere condolences to their family and friends.
Brad Neary
March 3, 2024
Rusty was a kind, generous, courageous, humorous and gracious man. In the years that he and my mother (Ida Neary - departed May 2023) crossed paths at The Heritage at Fox Run, he showed her kindness and friendship she greatly enjoyed and appreciated. May he rest in peace.
David Cicotello
March 3, 2024
My sympathy to the family. I knew Rusty when he worked at UNO in Institutional Research. I learned much about data collection from him and enjoyed his sense of humor.
M S
March 3, 2024
Thank you for your military service
Sybil Finken
March 3, 2024
Rusty was a character and such a comfort to my sister Ida when she lived at Fox Run. He will be missed by many.
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