In the news (not so exciting this time)

Dad's full obituary was printed today. My mom's best friend Susan wrote it, and we made a couple modifications. I think it captures him as well as you can in a few paragraphs.

Richard C. Crittenden
Greer

Richard C. "Rick" Crittenden died suddenly Sunday, September 9, 2007, at his home in Greer. He was a loving husband, father and son, an exceptionally skilled businessperson and a gifted musician. His time here was marked by a deep commitment to family, career and friendship.

He was born June 11, 1955, in Newport News, Virginia. Rick had a long love of the water and boats that began at an early age. During his time in South Carolina, the saltwater marshes of Edisto Island and the mountain waters of Lake Jocassee became the special settings for kayaking, sailing and fishing, some of his fondest pursuits with his wife Jean and their two children, Erin and Michael. Rick was also a longtime and avid fan of Furman Univeristy athletics.

Rick's first career as a saxophonist was underpinned by an undergraduate degree from Furman University and a Master's Degree from Indian University. His virtuosity as a musician was evident in the range of work he performed, from gigs with the Temptations and the Four Tops, to classical concerts with the Greenville Symphony. He taught music on every level from middle school to college, and he was a band director and a band member.

The gifts he displayed as a musician became the framework for his career in Information Technology, a field he pursued after additional training at Furman. He spent the last 21 years in the field, at Liberty Life Insurance and then at Metlife, where he was Chief Architect and Assistant Vice President.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Jean Marie Sansone Crittenden; his children, Erin Crittenden Shanafelt, Michael Anthony Crittenden, Stephen Mark Shanafelt and Nancy Marie Granger. He is also survived by his parents, Thomas Stilson and Gaybrooke Garrett Crittenden of Morehead City, N.C.; his sister, Debra Cantrell of Chicago, Ill.; and his brother, Robert Crittenden of Roanoke, Va.; and five nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, September 13, 2007, at 2 p.m. at The Mackey Mortuary with visitation from 1 to 1:45 p.m.

Friends are invited and encouraged to record a video tribute before or after the service at the mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Heart Association, 3535 Pelham Rd., Ste 101, Greenville, SC 29615.

The Mackey Mortuary, Century Drive.
A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.mackeymortuary.com

Published in The Greenville News: 09-12-2007