Crossley, Duane 1916-1956

CROSSLEY, STONE, BRAULT, BARNEY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 2/4/2012 at 12:00:09

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Jan. 30, 1956

SERVICES HELD AT HERRICK CHAPEL TODAY

College Music Professor Dies Shortly After Crash On Hgw. 6 Near Stuart

Duane Crossely, 39, Grinnell College music faculty member, was fatally injured in a Friday morning crash about a mile west of Stuart on Highway 6.

Taken to a hospital at Greenfield, Crossley succumbed some two hours after the highway accident.

ALONE IN CAR

On his way to see California friends visiting in southwest Iowa, Crossley was alone in his car when it collided with a car driven by Robert M. Stone, 30, of Des Moines.

Stone, who is press representative in the Iowa-Nebraska area for M-G-M pictures, suffered minor injuries in the accident.

FUNERAL SERVICES HELD HERE TODAY

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. today in Herrick chapel with the Rev. J. Gregori, vicar of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, conducting the service. He was assisted by the Rev. Winston L. King, dean of the chapel.

Organ music for the services was by Hoyle Carpenter of the college music faculty. Barbara Hansen, a member of the Women's Glee club, was soprano soloist. Six members of the Men's Glee club served as pallbearers. They were Thomas Boe, David Day, Dorsey Holt, Robert L. Holmes, Richard Wagner and Peter Walker.

NO CLASSES

No college classes were held and all college offices were closed during the services. Burial was at Hazelwood cemetery.

A requiem service was conducted at 8 this morning at St. Paul's church by the Rev. J. Gregori.

TRIBUTE BY BOWEN

Grinnell President Howard R. Bowen, in a statement made Saturday, paid tribute to Crossley's contribution "to the enrichment of campus life and public enjoyment" during his nearly four years here. "He was a fine director, an accomplished artist, and a good teacher," Dr. Bowen said.

Crossley is survived by his wife; two children, Norma, 5, and David, 3; his parents, Rev. and Mrs. William Crossely of Moville, Iowa; two brothers, Dr. Wesley Crossley of Mason City and Dr. Norman Crossely of Waterloo; and a sister, Mrs. Donald Hipple of Mt. Vernon.

OBITUARY
DUANE CROSSLEY

Duane Crossley was born September 7, 1916, in Leeds, N.D., the son of Rev. and Mrs. William Crossley.

Music was Crossley's life, and to it he devoted much of his time in study, teaching and performing.

CORNELL GRADUATE

He was graduated from Cornell college in 1938 with a bachelor of music degree. He also attended Iowa State Teachers College, the University of Michigan and Columbia University where he received his master's degree in 1950.

During the years 1940-42, Crossley taught school at Delmar, Iowa and Galien, Michigan. He served with Army Air Force from 1942 to 1946 where, as a member of the special services division, he entertained and produced shows of all types.

OPERATIC TRAINING

Following his tour of service, Crossley enrolled at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia where he took complete professional training in opera. During this period, he was the leading bass for the American Opera Company in Philadelphia and engaged in other professional singing in New York City, and the Berkshire Music festival.

CAME HERE IN 1952

For the year prior to coming to Grinnell, he was assistant professor of music at the University of Redlands in California. He has been at Grinnell College since 1952.

In 1946, Crossley married Rose Brault, who died in 1953. Two children were born of this union, Norma, now 5, and David, now 3.

In May, 1954, he married Betty Jean Barney, instructor in music at Iowa State Teachers College, who is now in her first year as instructor in violin at Grinnell College.