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Robert L. Crispen

Last Updated on July 28, 2022 by Kroeger Funeral Home

Robert L. Crispen, age 97, passed away peacefully Sunday, July 24, 2022, at McKinney Place, Logansport. He was born on April 16, 1925, in Logansport to Harry and Clyle (Enyart) Crispen and would have graduated from Logansport High School in 1943 but the world had other plans and he was called to serve his country during WWII. Enlisting as a Marine in the 2nd Division, he soon was called into battle and would serve and fight on Saipan, the Tinian Islands, Okinawa, and Nagasaki. He would later tell his family that crossing the Pacific to get home was almost more treacherous than the war. He finally came home on Christmas Eve 1945 to San Diego. He would go on to finish and receive his high school diploma.

Upon returning to Logansport, he began working for the Pennsylvania Railroad and met the love of his life, Barbara Scherer. They were married on February 28, 1947 and would go on to celebrate 75 years of marriage in February 2022. Together they raised three children who survive, son, William and his wife Amy of Indianapolis, daughter Katie Zook, Plano, Texas, and son, Steve, and his wife Deanna, Logansport.

On January 1, 1948, Bob would find his passion and another brotherhood as a firefighter on the Logansport Fire Department. It was a career choice that would change his life and bring him full circle into the life of service to others that he learned in the military. He went on to serve the citizens of Logansport faithfully for twenty years reaching the rank of assistant chief. Fellow firefighters would describe him as “a leader of men-first in, last out.” He retired from the fire department on February 1, 1968, and began his last position as employee number one at the newly opened Wilson Foods plant where he worked as millwright until April 1990.

Bob was an avid golfer, learning the game at an early age as a caddy at the Logansport Country Club at the age of eleven-years-old. He would go on to play for the remainder of his life, often shooting below his age after turning 80. He loved spending time with the “liars club’ at Dykeman Park Golf Course and enjoyed watching golf until his passing.

A true leader, Bob was active in his community serving on the church council at Trinity Lutheran Church, and a life member of the VFW 3790 and American Legion Post 60. He was a member of the Elks Lodge 66 and Tipton Masonic Lodge 33.

Of all the things in life that he loved, he treasured being grandpa to seven granddaughters. He is survived by granddaughter Emily and her husband Ryan Slavens, Colleen and her husband Mike Cieslak, Melissa and her husband Mark Lowry Jr., Courtney and her husband Freddie Newsom, Anne and her husband Jeff Morris, Kristen and her husband, Jimmy Lemons, and Kathleen Crispen. He adored each one of them and always gave his time and energy to be part of their lives, no matter where they lived. He and his wife Barbara never missed a milestone traveling to grandparents’ days in Texas, graduations in Indianapolis and weddings in Logansport. He was always there and willing to share in their most important occasions.

As much as he adored his seven granddaughters, his quiver was filled with sixteen great-grandchildren who survive, Berkley and Graham Slavens, John and Collette Cieslak, Camryn, Carson, Cassidy, and Claire Lowry, Brinley and Brooks Newsom, Cole, Will, Jack and Claire Morris, and JP and John Lemons.

His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him boundless joy and he cherished their visits and always had a dum-dum sucker for them.

During his last few months at McKinney Place, he was especially thankful for the care and friendship of Dave Barron, Vickie Hathaway and the staff whose compassion and love the family wishes to acknowledge.

Preceding him in death were his parents, two brothers, Floyd and John Crispen, a sister Janet Murphy, and son-in-law, John Zook.

Visitation will be from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 29th, at Kroeger Funeral Home. The Funeral Service is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday, also at the funeral home with the Rev. Dave Smith presiding.

Honors will be accorded by the uniformed members of the United States Marine Corps, the Cass County Military Honor Guard, and the Logansport Fire Department.

Memorial gifts made be made to the Logansport Firefighters Burnout Fund or the Cass County Honor Guard Fund in care of the Cass County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 441, Logansport, IN 46947.

Kroeger Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

Family and friends may leave a memory or message of condolence at www.kroegerfuneralhome.com.

Cass County Online