President Judge Maureen Skerda is pictured presenting Bob Crowley with a framed embroidered peacock in recognition of his time on the Struthers Library Theatre Board of Trustees.
Written by Susan Stout (she/her)
A special meeting of the Struthers Library Theatre Board of Trustees was held on December 16, 2021 to honor long-time Board member Bob Crowley. Crowley is retiring from the Board after 12 years of service during which he participated in a major capital campaign and leadership of three Executive Directors. For much of his tenure on the Board, Bob served as its secretary/treasurer, working with theatre staff and its partners to increase the financial stability of the theatre. His extensive knowledge about philanthropy was vital to ensuring potential donors that their wishes would be respected and in helping to match potential gifts or sponsorships with the theatre’s programming and facility needs. Bob led an on-going effort to develop a legacy giving program for the theatre’s endowment, and will continue in that program even as his Board service ends.
In addition to his work on the theatre’s finances, Bob was always available to lend a helping hand to Board initiatives and to the staff, from cleaning the theatre to mentoring new Board members. At the meeting to honor Bob’s service, Executive Director Karen Austin sang The Wind Beneath My Wings as it so eloquently summarizes the roles Bob has played for the theatre. Retired Executive Director Marcy O’Brien revealed that she and her staff had affectionately nick-named Bob “the Badger” because he was so persistent in supporting their efforts to keep track of finances and build stability. President Judge Maureen Skerda presented Bob with a framed embroidered peacock - an allusion to the peacock motif throughout the theatre and on the elevator tower. In her presentation remarks, she played on Bob’s treasurer role by describing Bob as “a great treasure of the Struthers Library Theatre.”
Bob’s service on the Board of Trustees of the Theatre is only one dimension of his community service. He has or is currently serving on the Boards of the Catholic Foundation, Second Harvest, the Community Foundation, the DeFrees Family Memorial Foundation, Hospice of Warren County, and others. He is also an avid St. Bonaventure basketball fan.