Robert “Possum Bob” Crawford, 59

Robert “Possum Bob” Crawford

Bob Crawford, despite all of his super-human efforts, died on April
17, 2014 at the age of 59, surrounded by his loving family at his
home. Over six years ago he began his battle with lung cancer and
leukemia, and refused to go down without a fight. He fought the
disease until his dying breath, doing so with courage and bravery,
never complaining about the heinousness of the treatment or the cancer
that was ravaging his once strong body.

Bob was best known for his quick, and sometimes inappropriate sense
of humor, always laughing and inspiring those around him to do the
same. His charisma and gift for all things funny always had those
around him in laughter, and this was a trait that cancer could not
steal from him, as he kept his joking ways and sparkle in his eyes
until his dying day.

Bob spent his career at the Medina County Sheriff’s Department,
utilizing his talents and gifts to keep his community safe. Bob was
very proud of his time of service, and was well known in his
department and surrounding agencies for his natural knack for this
work. Twenty years after his retirement his stellar police work is
still used as an example while training up and coming officers.

Bob has a love for the outdoors, and spent his free time hunting,
fishing and traveling. His understanding of wildlife and their habits
was vast, and he spent the last years of his life passing down his
knowledge to his children and grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Cynthia Clement
Crawford, who also lost her battle to cancer at the age of 31. Bob
leaves behind a devoted spouse of 28 years, Tania Crawford, who cared
for him during his illness with nagging and love. He is also survived
by his parents, Richard and Barbara Crawford of Nova. He will be
deeply missed by his two daughters, Shannon (Bill) Good and Jaime
(Tom) Hegarty, along with five grandchildren.

Per his wishes, Bob was cremated and will have his ashes spread in
the ocean and Lake Erie at a later date. A celebration of his life
was held, with Bob in attendance, on March 16, 2014, in Wadsworth,
where he said farewell to family and friends while enjoying their
company as they reminisced about days gone by.

In lieu of flowers, Bob has requested that donations be made in his
name to the Make A Wish Foundation, 2545 Farmers Drive Suite 300,
Columbus, OH 43235, htp://oki.wish.org/ or by calling 1-866-880-1382.
He was dearly loved, will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

A registry is available at www.andersonmcdaniel.com.