Robert Allen Thomas Crouse, age 84, passed away peacefully during the early morning of February 4, 2020, in his home in the Keowee Key community of Salem, South Carolina. 

Robert was born in Philadelphia, PA, the son of the Margaret (Meakin) Derr Crouse and Homer Crouse. Robert grew up with four siblings: Doris (Derr) Buntin (deceased), Raymond S. Derr (deceased), Monroe H. Derr, and Peggy Ann (Crouse) Mongellow. As the youngest of all, Robert was lovingly referred to as “Bobby Allen” by the family throughout his life. 

The family moved to Connecticut in 1940, and Robert grew up there. He graduated from Newington High School in 1954, attended the University of Connecticut at Storrs for his Baccalaureate and Law degrees, and earned a Master of Law in Taxation from Boston University. He worked in tax accounting with several banks throughout his life, ultimately retiring from Chase Bank. 

He met Eleanor Isaksen in New Jersey while working for Grace National Bank, and they were married in 1966. In 1976, Robert and Eleanor moved to Sparta, NJ, where they lived until retirement and raised their son, Kevin. They were active members of the First Presbyterian Church of Sparta, where Robert was an Elder. They were also avid golfers and members of the Lake Mohawk Golf Club. In 1999, they moved to Keowee Key in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, and they could now walk out of their home onto the golf course. Here, they were members of Eternal Shepherd Lutheran Church.

In addition to his wife, son, and surviving siblings, Robert is survived by his sister-in-law, Ellen Isaksen, brother-in-law, Robert Mongellow, and numerous nephews and nieces (and grand nieces and grand nephews). Aside from his siblings and immediate family, Robert was particularly close with his nephew, Bob Buntin, and his wife, Gloria, and daughter, Melissa.

A memorial celebration of Robert’s life will be held by the family in Connecticut in the coming months, after which his ashes will be scattered in meaningful locations of his life. Friends may contact Kevin Crouse for more information. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Unicef USA (https://www.unicefusa.org/,  or linked from here). We would appreciate any memories you would like to share in the Memories and Condolences section of this memorial or emailed to Kevin.