Robert "Bobby" S. Crowell

His parents, Florence H. (Britton) and Paul E. Crowell Sr., welcomed Bobby into the world on September 26, 1952, in Keene, NH. Bobby’s helping others started at a very early age. While in grammar school he was a member of the school safety patrol. He was a 1970 graduate of Keene High School. While in high school he was a member of the Key Club and a tutor for Spanish. He also worked delivering newspapers for the Keene Sentinel, and as a clerk at Beaver Street Market.

Never able to sit idle, Bobby was involved in boy scouts receiving his Eagle Scout in 1969. He worked summers as a member of the waterfront staff at Camp Carpenter Scout Camp and held various troop and district leadership positions, receiving the Cub Master of the Year Award.

He also worked for A. Henkle Manufacturing, Miller’s Forge and Cheshire Signs.

Bobby’s career in fire service spanned decades, starting on September 26, 1970, with the Keene Fire Department Men’s Auxiliary, later the Deluge Hose Company and then as a permanent member of the KFD moving up the ranks to captain and at various times, acting deputy. He retired from the KFD on June 30, 1999, and received many commendations during his tenure.

Bobby ensured that others were trained in safety and fire science by way of his many certifications and training that he in turn then shared his knowledge with others as a fire instructor, Incident Commander, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, Swift Water Rescue, as an instructor at the NH Fire Academy and fire services classes at area high schools.

He was a member of the Meadowood County Area Fire Department and Training Center from October 25, 1999, and was appointed Chief on December 6, 1999. He was also a member of the Swanzey Fire Department, the Fitzwilliam Fire Department, and the Troy Fire Department.

Bobby was a charter member and past commander of the Gordon Bissell Squardron #4 Sons of the American Legion. He joined the color and honor guard in 1999 and was made co-commander a few years ago. He marched in parades locally and all over the country playing the drums and cymbals. As a member of the band, he attended national conventions and was on the band’s board of directors.

Bobby’s accolades, achievements and awards are too numerous to put into an obituary, something that only gleams one’s life. A detailed history of his life and accomplishments will be reflected on the Foley’s Funeral Home’s website, www.foleyfuneralhome.com, for all to truly reflect on this man’s remarkable and dedicated service to countless numbers of people within our communities.

His greatest accomplishment was raising his son Bruce as a single dad, an accomplishment he was damn proud of!!

He will be greatly missed by so many fellow firefighters and friends, but more so by his family, his son, Bruce B. Crowell and his wife Arlene of Richmond, NH, his grandchildren Dallas Crowell and Wyatt Crowell; great-grandchildren Odiin, Jackson and Haizlyan; a brother Wayne F. Crowell and his wife Shirley of Keene; a sister Florence "Felicity" Crowell of Farmington, CT; and nieces, nephews and extended family members. A brother Paul E. Crowell Jr. and a half-brother Jeffrey Densmore predeceased him.

Family, friends and fellow firefighters are welcome to call on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Monadnock Covenant Church, 90 Base Hill Road, Keene. A graveside service with fire department honors will be held on Wednesday, February 4th at 11:00am in the Monadnock View Cemetery, Park Avenue, Keene.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made in Bobby’s memory to the Dartmouth Cancer Center at Cheshire Medical Center, 580 Court Street, Keene, NH 03431.