Obituary of Erwin R. Crusen

Erwin R. “Dick” Crusen “Loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather” Olean, NY—Erwin R. “Dick” Crusen of 528 King St. died Thursday (September 18, 2008) in the Olean General Hospital after a long illness. Born September 23, 1932 in Silver Creek, NY he was the son of Smith W. “Smitty” and Kathleen “Ma” Kopczynski Crusen, Sr. He was previously married to Shirley Mae Edel-Crusen who predeceased him. On July 4, 1972 he married Bonita “Bonnie” Carpenter who survives. Mr. Crusen was raised in Angola until 1948 at which time he moved to Buffalo with his family. In 1956 he moved to Olean where he helped his family operate the former Wheel Restaurant and Bar for several years. In addition he worked at the Olean Tile Plant, St. Bonaventure University and Clark Brothers. He had a career in military service which began with his enlistment in the US Navy during the Korean War in 1952. He served until 1956, one year of which was in Iceland aboard the USS Iowa Battleship. In 1957 he enlisted in the US Air Force. His first duty was in Panama City, FL as a Radio Operator aboard small rescue boats. In 1958 he served in Japan for 18 months. His next assignment was in Moses Lake, WA where he was a radio operator on the C-124 Aircraft. In 1962 he returned to Japan for 3 ½ years, serving as a loadmaster on the C-130’s at Tachikawa Air Base. In 1965 he moved to Pope AFB in Fayetteville, NC. He accumulated 2500 hours as a radio operator on the C-123’s and 5000 hours as a loadmaster on the C-130’s. He attended Escape and Evasion School in Washington State and attended Jungle Survival School in the Philippines. He spent four years in Vietnam flying with the 310th Air Commando Squadron. During the TET Offensive he flew Marine soldiers into Kasan. During his four years in Vietnam he was awarded 3 distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism, an Air Force Commendation Ribbon, 13 Air Medals, plus the usual Vietnam ribbons. His military career also took him to France, England, Germany, Korea, Okinawa, Wake Island and many other locations around the world. He retired while stationed at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. Upon his return to the Olean area he worked for the United States Post Office from 1975 until 1986, retiring as a supervisor. He was a member of the Hinsdale American Legion Norton Chambers Post 1434 and the Olean VFW Post 1619. Surviving in addition to his wife is their daughter Rhonda (Brian) Morgan; 7 children with his first wife, Denise “Mickey” (Larry) Skipper of Linden, NC, Kenneth M. Crusen of Linden, NC, Marcia J. (John) Schornak of Charlotte, NC, Erwin R. Crusen, Jr. of Mechanicsville, VA, Christopher L. Crusen of Fuquay Varina, NC, Terrance M. Crusen of Mechanicsville, VA and Lawrence T. Crusen of Linden, NC; 11 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; 1 sister Betty Lou Crusen of Olean; 1 brother Smith W. (Ida) Crusen, Jr. of Menomonie, WI and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean today from 6-8pm. Visitation will continue on Saturday (September 20, 2008) at the funeral home from 10am until noon at which time funeral services will be held. Rev. Gregory Dobson, pastor of St. Mary of the Angels Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Hinsdale Cemetery, Maplehurst, NY. Full military honors will be accorded by members of the American Legions of Hinsdale and Allegany. Memorials, if desired, may be made to Homecare and Hospice 1225 W. State St. Olean, NY or to the American Diabetes Association 315 Alberta Dr. Suite 102 Amherst, NY 14226.