Longtime Agoura resident Dick Crowley dies
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Dick Crowley

It's been said that Richard Francis (Dick) Crowley never considered himself exceptional, but his legion of family, friends- and the city of Agoura Hills- say otherwise. Known as a dedicated family man and tireless city volunteer, Crowley died at Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center on Fri., Dec. 7 after a brief battle with cancer. He was 84.

Crowley moved to the Hillrise area of Agoura with his wife, Dolores, in 1979. The husband-and-wife team jumped into local politics and volunteer work upon moving to the area. They worked with their homeowners association and helped with the city incorporation effort.

Crowley was a member of the Knights of Columbus, worked with Farmers' Market and served as an usher at St. Jude's Catholic Church for many years.

"We were always together," said Dolores.

Crowley joined the Army Air Force in 1941 as radio operator and turret gunner for the 15th Air Force 463 Bomb Group stationed in Foggia, Italy. After a bomb raid over Austria, he bailed out of his plane and became a prisoner of war at STALAG 7A in Mooseburg, Germany.

Dolores said her husband knew he was going to be saved when he saw an American plane "wiggling its wings," which was a signal that freedom was near. Crowley and others were liberated on Feb. 25, 1945, by General George Patton's battalion. Dolores said her husband recalled Patton carrying a pearlhandled gun.

After the service, Crowley earned his Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University. He married Dolores in 1950.

Dolores said her husband's prisoner of war experience would come in "little stories here and there." Crowley told how he was beaten by Germans in the camp because he wouldn't talk. Those beatings left 38 welts on his body. The German's even rubbed salt into his wounds, Dolores said.

"His stomach shrunk to the size of a clenched fist," she said.

Crowley joined the San Fernando Valley Chapter of American Ex-Prisoners of War and served as vice commander and treasurer of the group.

"I always thought he deserved a Purple Heart," Dolores said of her husband's service to her country. Although Crowley was denied a Purple Heart because no one witnessed his injuries as a POW, U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman ( D-Sherman Oaks) presented Crowley with a POW medal several years ago.

Crowley worked for Paper Mate in Santa Monica for many years and retired in 1980, Dolores said.

After the city of Agoura Hills incorporated in 1982, Crowley was often the man behind the scenes of elected officials. Dolores said her husband worked on several campaigns for former Mayor Ed Corridori and others.

Crowley is survived by his wife, three daughters, five grandchildren, two brothers and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Agoura Hills City Council closed their meeting last week in honor of Dick Crowley. Mayor Pro Tem Denis Weber said Crowley was always smiling and upbeat.

"I'll miss him very much," Weber said.

"He was not only a volunteer but paid an incredible debt to our country," said Councilmember Dan Kuperberg.