GLENS FALLS — Robert Owen Crawford of Glens Falls, New York, peacefully passed on the night of May 14 after a five-year battle with cancer.

Bob was born in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1945 to William Allen Crawford and Ruth Ada James.

His childhood was idyllic and accomplished. In high school, he was the president of his senior class, a member of the National Honor Society, a varsity athlete in football, basketball and track and was one of two selected to sing in the All East Choir. He also taught himself how to play the guitar.

His resourcefulness and insatiable curiosity for tinkering led him to pursue a career in mechanical engineering at Lehigh University.

In 1967, when American troops were called to action, Bob enlisted in the Navy. After a tour of duty in Vietnam, his proven technical ability steered him to officer's candidate school.

He took advantage of the college-at-sea (NCPACE) program in 1972 to complete his bachelor's degree at Purdue University in mechanincal engineering. There, he was a member of the same national honorary societies that his father belonged to, Tau Beta Pi for math and science and Pi Tau Sigma for mechanical engineering.

The following year he earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering at Purdue, under a National Science Foundation grant. After finishing his master's, he returned to active duty and completed his naval career as an officer. His stoic leadership skills were recognized and he was promoted to lieutenant.

Always dedicated, he spent nearly 30 years of his life as an engineer in the paper-making industry. His work with Andritz/Ahlstrom in Glens Falls sent him all around the world to countries such as Finland and Chile, where he developped earthquake-resistant machinery.

Above all, he was most devoted to his family. It was known that a visit from dad meant a visit from the handyman. If an air conditioner or ceiling fan or anything appeared to be functioning sub-par, he would take it apart and put it back together.

Bob loved music, especially melodic choral singing, singer-songwriters of the 1960s and anything that benefited from his soothing tenor voice. His gentle lullabies and active role in the church choir inspired his family to study music, craft their own voices and share in his deep appreciation of well-formed harmony. This led to many late nights with his family singing along to his soft guitar strumming.

True to his selfless nature, Bob waited until his family had said their goodbyes before passing. Many who loved him survive him, including his life partner of almost 30 years, Sandy Fowlkes; his children, Stephen, Katie, Liz and John Crawford; his grandchildren, Alex, Luke and Anna Crawford; his brother, David Crawfor; his sister in-law, Beth Crawford; along with adoring nieces, nephews, in-laws and former wife Martha Kowal.

An open memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. July 9 at First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name would be appreciated for noble organizations that Bob appreciated personally, namely the Beeman Music Fund at First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls at 400 Glen St., Glens Falls, NY 12801; or the Prostate Cancer Foundation at pcf.org.

Condolences may be mailed to Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804 or through www.bakerfuneralhome.com.