Dr. Maurice Alfred Crouse (Mac), son of Thomas Maurice and Essie Crouse, was born on February 15, 1934 in Lincolnton, NC and died on September 2, 2022, at the age of 88.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Barbara Jean Hedrick Crouse, and his sister, Anita Chaffin (Joe). He leaves behind the members of his immediate family: daughters – Melanie Smith (Keith), Alison File (Alan), Emily Mills (William), grandchildren – Seth Smith(Chloe), Ross Smith (Marley), Charlotte Vaughn (Nate), David Humphreys (Justine), and Hayley File.
Maurice was raised on a farm in rural North Carolina in a community known as Pumpkin Center. He was an excellent student and was valedictorian of his senior class at Rock Springs High School. He was a ham radio operator and decorated the walls of his room with the call cards from the various locations he had contacted.
Maurice graduated from Davidson College in 1956 with a B.S. in History, followed by an M. A. in History from Northwestern University in 1957. He served two years in the U.S. Army where he was a code breaker and selected to be an instructor. He then returned to Northwestern and received a Ph.D. in History in 1964. He joined the University of Memphis in 1962 as an Early American history professor where he remained for his entire career of 53 years. During his tenure, he also earned a Master’s degree in Mathematical Sciences with a concentration in Computer Science in 1986. He served as webmaster for the Department of History for many years.
Maurice was a faithful member of Woodland Presbyterian Church in Memphis for 60 years where he taught Sunday School for many years. He especially enjoyed performing with the Outreach Choir. During his long life he pursued and mastered many hobbies, but his favorite was bluegrass music. He was a talented banjo picker and played with the Lucy Opry. Although he primarily played the banjo, he was self-taught on many other instruments as well. He was an avid reader with a vast book collection and loved doing crossword puzzles. He was a deeply rooted family man and strong in his faith.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 9, 2022, at Woodland Presbyterian Church at 11a.m. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor his life and memory, may make a donation to the Outreach Choir at Woodland Presbyterian Church, 5217 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119.