Dr. David Wilson Crumpacker, 84, of Boulder, Colorado passed away on January 16, 2014 with his family by his side. “Wilson” was born in Enid, Oklahoma to Nove Earl and Faith Wilson Crumpacker and lived most of his life in Oklahoma and Colorado.
Wilson was a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and while stationed in Guam met his wife, Bonnie, which he said was, and continued to be the greatest event of his life. He was a passionate man who deeply loved nature and devoted his professional life to helping save the environment.
In 1968, he became a professor of biology for the University of Colorado where he chaired the department, taught and conducted research in the fields of genetics, ecology and conservation biology, and was honored many times for his contributions. He was always up for an adventure and spent yearlong sabbaticals in New York City, Pavia, Italy, Washington, DC and Merida, Yucatan.
Wilson loved to hike, drink good beer, play badminton, bird watch, explore the outdoors and reminisce about his childhood in Oklahoma.
He had a wonderful sense of humor, was well loved by his friends and very proud of his four children, David Crumpacker, Jr. of White Salmon, Washington, John Crumpacker of Underwood, Washington, Jeannie Crowell of Bend, Oregon and Mark Crumpacker of New York City. His wife, Bonnie Crumpacker; his sister Faith Mary Everett; and seven grandchildren also survive him.
The family had a small gathering on January 18, 2014 to celebrate his life.
For those who would like to make memorial donation please send a check to Boulder Parks and Open Space Foundation, PO Box 227, Hygiene, CO 80533.
Published in The Boulder Daily Camera on Jan. 26, 2014.