Walter Herbert Crosby

Born as Walter Herbert Crosby and known throughout his childhood and long into adulthood as “Bud” a nickname he worked hard to lose later in life. He was born at the beginning of the Great Depression for the U.S. that would last for the 1st ten or 11 years of his life to a very young mother and a hard-working father. “Bud” was the second child and had an older sister Bonnie who came just 15 months prior to his entry into this world.

There was not much money in those days and the first years were lived in not much more than a shack, on the NE end of the Island that Grandfather William Crosby homesteaded. There was no running water or bathrooms. Baths were drawn by carting buckets of water into the home and heating them on the wood stove, of course Bonnie always got the first bath in the clean water while “Bud” got the second bath. Something he still good naturedly groused about when the subject came up, since he was the one fetching the water. Clothes were washed on the washboard in the same tub.

A little later in life the family moved into town where life would become a little easier for everyone. The town home had running water, electricity, and a phone. A big step up for the Crosby family. Somewhere around “Buds” 10th birthday his dad Logan started working the beach areas, tending boats, and fishing reef nets during the summer months. Logan built a little beach shack where “Bud” was able to stay with his dad during the summer months. He really enjoyed the carefree days and spent a lot of time playing with the Indian boys that would row their skiffs over from Vancouver Island. The fish industry was a big deal in those days, and the tenders would come by a couple of times a week to carry their fish back to the cannery. If Bud was getting homesick, he could catch a ride back to town with the tenders to stay with his mom and sister Bonnie who he was very close with.

Growing up on an Island of less than 1000 people was a great adventure for a young active boy. They family did not have much but they never went hungry. There was always a bounty of seafood to choose from and plenty of rabbits and venison to eat. All of that together with the huge gardens they tended to and the fruit they canned each year kept everyone fed and healthy. They also had a couple of cows to supply the family with dairy and a lamb. There may have been a little too much Seafood and Rabbit for Bud. For the rest of his life, he would not care for either chicken or Salmon. Nor would he even think about eating Lamb! Not because he disliked the taste. He turned one of those Lambs into a pet and after it was butchered, he could not get himself to ever eat lamb again.

Alcohol abuse was starting to affect the family by the time “Bud” was in high school much as it would seep into “Bud’s” life later as he got older and had his own family. When he was 17, he wanted to leave the Island and get some space of his own so he talked his mom Juanita into giving him permission the join the Navy. He served on the U.S.S. Tarawa [CV-40} Carrier Air Group one. Escorted by destroyers Dennis J Buckley [D.D.-808] and Hawkins [D.D.-873] where he saw a lot of the world with stops in Pearl Harbour, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bahrein Arabia, Suez Canal, Athens Greece, Istanbul Turkey, Suda Bay Crete. Quite an adventure for a young man that grew up on an Island with less than 1000 people on it. Walter Herbert Crosby was Honorably discharged from service on January, 25th 1950 Shortly after he was married to the love of his life Helen Louise Crosby on July 27th 1949 who preceded him in death on May 8th 2011.

Together they raised 4 sons, Rick, Chuck, Randy, and Pat. With 4 kids to raise Bud was pretty focused on income to feed and house all of those active boys. As time went on, he started a window washing and Janitorial service Company that not only kept the family fed but gave those boys ample opportunity to learn how to work and take care of themselves while they were growing up. Sometimes a lot more opportunity than they wanted. At the end of the day, they all learned how to be responsible for themselves, work unsupervised, and to take responsibility for their own work and lives. Something that served each of them nicely later in their own lives.

Unfortunately, later into these years the alcohol abuse/addiction found its way into his family affecting both Louise and Walt and of course the entire family. There were some tough years there for a while in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Fortunately help was found for both parents in A.A. first Louise and then Walt. Eventually both Louise and Walt found their way into the substance abuse profession and dedicated the rest of their lives helping others overcome their addictions, and there were thousands of them. Walt’s proudest professional accomplishment was the work and expansion he did at Evergreen Manor Recovery Center. When Walt started there, it was a rundown halfway house. By the time he retired he had built it into a multi building facility that included in-patient, and outpatient treatment, a kitchen and dining facility, together with Snohomish County Detox Center. Walt was presented a 51-year Sobriety coin by his son Randy in February of this year at Walts home meeting in Sun City, AZ

After a very long goodbye, Louise passed away in 2011. It was another lesson time for the 4 boys as Walt displayed what Love and Dedication meant by dedicating every bit of his body and soul, taking care of her during her illness until his back finally gave out and he had to go to the hospital himself for surgery.

As time moved forward Walt was fortunate enough to meet his new Love Barbara Snyder and as luck would have it, she lived right next door! There was a lot of good humor in the beginning as the two of them became close and the little trail between their homes in the rear yard became well-traveled. Barbara was by his side nearly every minute these past few months doing everything possible to keep Walt active and comfortable. She has been a blessing not only for Walt but for his entire family.

Wally as we all loving refer to him now was simply a wonderful person that kept everything in perspective and humor in our lives right up to the end. He will be missed by all of us that he left behind. Wally was very Proud of his Native American Heritage. It is with Clean Hands, straight eyes, and without Shame that he leaves us to meet his creator and Great Spirit!

Wally was preceded in death by his parents Logan and Juanita, sister Bonnie, and his wife Helen “Louise” Crosby.

He leaves behind 4 sons, 13 grandchildren, and 18 great Grandchildren.

In Keeping with Walt’s Native American Heritage a Native American Themed Memorial will take place in the Christiansen room at the Rosehill Community Center located at 304 Lincoln Ave. Mukilteo WA on August 20th at 3:00 in the afternoon.

No Gifts Please but if you have stories or photo’s please share them on this site.