REV. ROBERT WILLIAM CROOKER, CSB
1925-2018
Rev. Robert William Crooker, CSB, peacefully passed away in Toronto on January 6, 2018. Born in Houston, TX, on February 21, 1925, he was predeceased by his parents, Marguerite and John H. Crooker, Sr., along with Kay and John H. Crooker, Jr., and John H. Crooker, III. He is survived by nieces Carolyn Schwing (Ned), Linda Hunsaker (Barry), Tara Mize (Alec), and Allison Margrave (David), Bonnie Crooker, and their children.
A 1945 graduate of St. Thomas High School, Bob considered medicine, but felt called to the Basilian ministry upon graduation. He was ordained June 29, 1953 at St. Anne’s Church. He also earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in Philosophy from St. Michael’s College in Toronto, then earning his Doctorate in Canon Law in 1957 at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. The dedication of Bob’s dissertation reads “To my father who in his love of Justice and of Law her guardian began the juridicial formation of his sons from our earliest boyhood, I offer this my first venture in legal disquisition with grateful affection.” Bob taught Canon Law while carrying out other tasks at the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies and as Treasurer General.
Fr. Crooker taught at the University of St. Thomas from 1980-1987, and again from 1992 until his final retirement to Toronto in 2013. He was Dean of the School of Theology and VP of Finance. His interim postings were in Sugar Land and to the Diocese of Las Cruces, NM. Bob served on the Board of Directors at UST for many years and received an honorary Ph.D. in 2012. Those who knew Bob say that he had a great impact on UST.
Bob was fluent in Italian, French and Spanish, and studied in those languages along with Latin, Greek and German. In addition to his recognition as a gifted teacher, a journalist said Fr. Crooker was a learned and gentle soul with a delightfully dry wit. Bob’s hobbies were classical music and Yana, his German shepherd, and, when the Basilians received a black Labrador retriever puppy, Bob and Nero would be seen walking each other daily. During summers, Bob drove to 46 States as a substitute preacher.
The family wishes to express its gratitude for the outpouring of prayers and support by so many Basilians and friends.
A Memorial Wake was held January 9 in the Chapel of the Cardinal Flahiff Basilian Centre in Toronto. The Funeral Mass was held Wednesday, January 10 followed by a private family interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill, ON.
A Memorial Mass will be held in Houston on Friday, February 9 at 4 p.m. in the Chapel of St. Basil, 3802 Yoakum, on the campus of the University of St. Thomas. A reception will follow in the Crooker Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Thomas Fund, 3800 Montrose Blvd., Houston, TX 77006. Remembrances of Bob would be welcomed by the family, c/o Linda C. Hunsaker, 3730 Wickersham Ln., Houston, TX, 77027.