Robert Leslie Crossley

July 3, 1932 - May 3, 2022

Robert (Bob) Leslie Crossley passed May 3, 2022. He was born July 3,1932, in Torrington,Wyoming to Mary and Norman Crossley. Bob graduated from Torrington High School in 1950. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Rose Marie Haase in 1951. Bob soon got his Associates Degree in Business in Rapid City, South Dakota. His lifetime career began at Swift & Company in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. In1965, the family moved to Chicago where Bob received his managerial training. Bob was promoted to Glenwood, Iowa, as financial manager of Swift’s Pork Plant in 1968. He was promoted again in 1971 and transferred as financial manager of Swift Fresh Meats to St. Louis. Bob and Rose Marie left Columbia, Illinois for a decade where Bob was promoted to VP of Finance for Swift in Chicago and later VP of finance for Swift Fresh Meats in Dallas, Texas. While Bob was successful in his career, it was his family in whom he was most passionate. Raising three children, Bob and Rose Marie were always active in their childrens' lives and activities. Bob helped start the Columbia Booster Club which raised money that kept sports in the schools. He was a wonderful, loving father and grandfather and loved to make his grandchildren laugh at his dry sense of humor; always handing out a ready chocolate. He did love chocolate! Sports was Bob’s second passion, whether it was his children’s, and later, grandchildren’s sports or college sports. A diehard Nebraska Cornhusker Fan his entire adult life, he spent many hours watching the football games, getting quite worked up over the calls. Working in the outdoors, mowing, trimming were some of what he enjoyed. Bob and Rose Marie loved to travel. They flew to Portland, Oregon several times a year, scheduling their trips around their grandchildren’s activities. Torrington, Wyoming was also a yearly trip to see family. They traveled many places, including, Alaska, Caribbean, Panama Canal to name a few. Surviving family are: daughters,Terri (Tom) Morrison of Portland, Oregon and Linda (Joel) Harres of Columbia, Illinois; son Larry Crossley of Columbia, Illinois; six grandchildren, and six and 1/2 great-grandchildren: Melissa (Ryan) Maupin, Felix, Dexter, and baby on the way, Scott (Kelly) Harres,Hazel Rose and William, Stephanie (Joe Edelman) Harres , Shane (Laura) Morrison, Leslie Nelson, Sophia and Ella Rose,and Tricia Morrison, sister, Cheryl Riggs, brother-in-law, Marvin Schloatman and sister-in-laws Madge Haase and Norma Haase. Bob was preceded in death by Rose Marie, his wife of 70 years, his sister, Betty Schloatman, and brother-in-laws, Thomas Riggs, Roland Haase, Raymond Haase and sister-in-law Roberta Sanger. A celebration of life will be held for Bob and Rose Marie, May 30, at 11:00 am, at the Harres Residence. There will be a light lunch following the celebration. A fund has been set up for donations at Columbia High School Booster Club Please make checks out to CEABC. Bob was so loved. We will miss that sense of humor and the love he gave his family.