Albert R. Crocker

Albert R. Crocker, 93, of Memphis, NY was born in Higganum CT May 28, 1914 to Albert Nathan and Laura Crocker. He began the first grade in a one-room schoolhouse with eight grades at West Avon, CT afterward attending East Hartford public schools. He received a B.S. and M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from New York University and later pursued a Ph.D. in nuclear physics at George Washington University and the Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies. Work included experimental test engineering in propeller design at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, light aircraft development at Engineering and Research Corp., and experimental engineering for the Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion Program at Oak Ridge, TN, Cincinnati, OH, and Idaho Falls, ID, AEC National Reactor Station where, as G.E. Manager of Test Operations, he oversaw the first operation of a turbojet run on heat from a nuclear reactor. Also through G.E. he contracted with the NASA Apollo Program for the test instrumentation of the S1C and S2B rocket engines at Bay St. Louis, MS and data processing for the Earth Resources Technology Satellite for NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center at Greenbelt, MD. With G.E., he served at Zaragoza Air Force Base in Spain as Base Civil Engineer for over a year; a civilian in the capacity of Air Force Lt. Colonel. Throughout his life he was involved with the Boy Scouts of America. In his youth with East Hartford, CT’s Troop 1, he became an Eagle Scout and earned all seventy Merit Badges available at the time. He wrote "The First Twenty Five Years with Troop One" and published it in 1935. He volunteered at Troop, District and Council levels in Idaho Falls, ID, Fayetteville, NY, Gulfport, MS, Zaragoza, Spain and Memphis, NY receiving several awards and honors for his work, including the Silver Beaver and Vigil Order of the Arrow. He was very active in family history research and belonged to many local, state and national genealogical societies. His research culminated in the writing of the soon to be published "Thomas Crocker (1633-1716) and His Descendents" which includes over 600 individual histories for ten generations of Crocker’s. During WW II he volunteered with the War Emergency Radio Service and Civil Defense for Prince George County, MD. He was an amateur radio operator (W2HOS) and a member of the ARRL for over 70 years. During retirement, he was an active volunteer with the Radio Amateurs of Greater Syracuse, an Onondaga County R.A.C.E.S. Radio Operator, and part of the New York State Emergency Management Team. He was Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Idaho Falls, ID. In his retirement he volunteered with the American Red Cross, instructing CPR, Advanced First Aid and providing Damage Assessment at flood and hurricane sites. He served as Chairman of the Town of Van Buren’s Environmental Conservation Commission and compiled an award winning Natural Resources Inventory for the town in 1980. He was a member of he Town of Van Buren Industrial Development Board and director of the New York State Association of Conservation Commissions. He enjoyed family vacations of camping, hiking, skiing, and traveled widely to all 50 states and to over 20 countries. In his spare time, he grew fruit and vegetables and kept honey bees. For a period of time he sold the products at the Baldwinsville Farmers Market. He was an intelligent man with a wonderful mix of kindness, generosity and humor. He was an exemplary son, husband and father; a leader and a friend. He was predeceased by his wife, Gertrude Jewell Crocker in 1987. Surviving children are Jewell Ann Huxen of Madison, MS; James Albert Crocker of New York, NY; Jonathan Alan Crocker of Houston, TX and Jane Alice Achee of Morgantown, WV; five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and dear friend Margaret Utting of Manchester, CT. A memorial service will be held, 2 PM, May 31th at Flanders Community and Baptist Church, 138 Boston Post Road, East Lyme, CT 06333. Contributions in lieu of flowers to "First Congregational Church, C/O Albert R. Crocker Fund for Boy Scout Troop 1", 837 Main St., East Hartford CT 06108 Arrangements by B.L. Bush & Sons Funeral Home, 10 Genesee St, Camillus, NY 13031 Please sign his guestbook at www.BLBUSH.com

Albert R. Crocker

April 14, 2008