Hubert " Hugh" Crowe

In the early morning hours of Aug. 15, 2015, Hugh Crowe slipped away from his earthly home and began his final flight into eternity. At 86, he left peacefully in his sleep, after enjoying a full and fruitful life of successful endeavors. Hugh was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Elijah Hubert and Betty Giraldeau Crowe on March 23, 1929. The oldest of eight children, he was raised a southern boy in the traditions of the Old South, but a keen, early interest in photography, and a promise from an Army recruiter, led him into the Army on his 18th birthday, and landed him in Tokyo, Japan, as a Signal Corps Photographer in General Douglas McArthur’s headquarters. It was there in Tokyo that he met Anita Carr, his future bride of almost 65 years, who was attending college in Tokyo. They were married Oct. 21, 1950. After they returned to the United States, Hugh applied for flight school and became a helicopter pilot. He liked the Army and loved flying, and his Army career of 20 years took him and Anita to many corners of the world. Their daughter, Karen, was born in Michigan; their son, Stephen, in California; and son Mark was born in Stuttgart, Germany. Hugh’s career included many interesting missions such as the early atomic bomb testing at the Nevada Test Site and Johnson Island, flood relief and rescue, NATO support, Instructor Support, a combat tour in Vietnam for which he received the Air Medal and more. After retiring from the military, Hugh was employed by Petroleum Helicopters Inc. in Lafayette, Louisiana. It was here that tragedy struck the family when their beautiful little daughter, Karen, fell ill and died of leukemia at age 14. This devastating event prompted them to halt what they were doing and pursue what had always been their dream — to move to Oregon. They chose Corvallis. It didn’t take long for them to become Oregonians. Hugh enrolled and graduated from Oregon State University, and another little daughter, Susan, happily was born into the family. In Corvallis, Hugh was known as a printer and publisher, but it all started with real estate. He and Anita owned and operated Oregon Properties Unlimited, and later merged with other real estate brokers to create Coldwell Banker Valley Brokers. Hugh developed the Real Estate Buyers Guide, which was a newspaper format with large pictures of homes for sale. At the time, it was a new type of marketing tool that worked very well. Soon real estate offices in other cities were asking Hugh to produce a Buyer’s Guide for them. Hugh then built a printing company with the help of his son, Mark, who had joined the company, and several other good employees. Hugh’s company became national suppliers for both Coldwell Banker and Prudential, producing and shipping Real Estate Buyers Guides all over the United States including Alaska and Hawaii, and as far away as Puerto Rico. It outgrew its shop on Second Street in Corvallis and was moved to Albany where it continues to grow as Oregon Web Press. Hugh continued flying until memory loss forced him to quit. He owned a succession of three airplanes, and he and Anita spent many happy hours in the air together, flying cross-country to wonderful places, just the two of them or with other flying friends. One great adventure occurred after they got to wondering if they could fly from coast to coast with one fuel stop since their Comanche had an extra 90 gallon tank in the wings. This took careful planning because it meant only one bathroom stop as well. So they tried it. The first leg went well, flying from the Pacific Ocean in Newport to Liberal, Kansas, non-stop and refueling there. However, on the last leg to the Atlantic Ocean, they met a line of thunderstorms which would burn too much fuel to circumvent. It was a wild ride, but it was fun to try! Hugh knew that he had been blessed with a good life and a long life, good health, a family that loved him very much and opportunities to do what he enjoyed most. He was grateful. He is survived by his wife, Anita; sons Stephen Crowe (Kathy) of Corvallis, and Mark (Judy) of Reno, Nevada; daughter Susan Schreiber (Patrick) of Sammamish, Washington; grandsons Matthew Crowe (Lisa) of Salem, Andy Crowe (Kayla) of North Albany, Brandon Crowe (Betty) of Reno, Nevada, and Derek Schreiber of Sammamish, Washington; granddaughters Angelique Covello (Joshua) of Reno, Nevada, and Elena Schreiber of Sammamish, Washington; eight great-granddaughters, Misty, Autumn, Lilah, Cora, Harper, Hadley, Kairi and Liara — all Crowes; and one great-grandson due in November. He is also survived by his brothers Ronald Crowe (Kandy) of Monticello, Florida, and Frank Crowe (Verdell) of Simpsonville, South Carolina; sister Gloria Bailey of Rancho Cucamonga, California; and many nieces and nephews. Hugh was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Karen; brothers Robin Crowe, William Crowe and Kenneth Crowe; and sister Carole Graham. Following Hugh’s wishes, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, we suggest a small donation to Wounded Warriors.

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Hubert " Hugh" Crowe

March 23, 1929 - August 14, 2015