Rapp Wallace Crook III
May 12, 1927 - March 20, 2020
Rapp Wallace Crook III, age 92, of Newark, DE, passed away after a long illness on Friday, March 20, 2020, with his wife, Karen, at his side.
Wallace was raised in Yazoo City, MS and retained his southern accent and love of the South his entire life. Graduating from high school in 1945, he enlisted and served in the Navy as a radio man. After his service, Wallace obtained a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from Georgia Tech. (Hearing stories of him as a youth, dismantling a new toaster to make a continual arc or adding long wires to the family radio so he could reach the controls from his bed, did, in hindsight, make electrical engineering a logical career choice.) He continued his interest in the French horn and played in various musical groups while in college.
After college, Wallace took a position with a surveying company in Yazoo City where he met his first wife, Patricia Gore, who was teaching in the local school system. He then took a position with DuPont which moved him and his family to Savannah River, SC, to Orange, TX, to Baltimore, MD and finally to Newark in 1966. He worked at the Louviers site in Newark for many years, retiring in 1985.
Wallace developed a love of sailing while living close to the Severn River in Maryland. He built and raced two 16’ Windmill class boats and enjoyed many weekends on the water. His interest continued and eventually led to his designing “Courier,” a 44’ aluminum hulled sailboat which he had built in Hardscrabble, DE. “Courier” raced to Bermuda twice and made several trips to the Bahamas with Wallace and Pat. Wallace also became involved in the Northeast River Power Squadron, a boating education and safety organization where he taught classes and served as Commander for two years.
In 1993 Pat knew she didn’t have long to live. She confided in a neighbor that after her death, she hoped Wallace would find someone who loved sailing as much as he did. Wallace stumbled around for two years trying to fill a hole in his heart before he met Karen Neher by chance. She and Wallace were married four months later. Karen turned out to be the perfect first mate, the best Nana to Wallace’s grandchildren, and the best step mom ever. (Wallace remembered how to use his southern charm!)
Among his many other interests Wallace enjoyed researching his genealogy, traveling, reading and tinkering in his workshop.
The family would like to thank the staff at Caraway Manor II in Elkton and Amedisys Hospice for helping us over the last several months.
Wallace is survived by his wife, Karen; sons, William (Deborah) of Elkton, MD and Robert of New Port Richey, FL; stepsons, Ryan (Heather) and Brady Neher (Nina); and nine grandchildren, Sarah, Will, Hannah, Hayden, Sam, Eli, Milo, Eefa and Leli.
All services will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, please think of Wallace the next time you enjoy a beautiful body of water.
Alice Richardson
I enjoyed talking with Wallace the few times i had the opportunity to do so. He will be sorely missed on this physical plane. I will think of him when I see/enjoy a beautiful body of water! My heartfelt condolences to all who knew & of course, loved him.
Russ Zehnacker
Gloria and I were privledged to know Wallace through our involvement with the North East River Power Squadron. Wallace served as a mentor to both of us as we served our terms as Commander. Our deepest condolences go out to Karen and family. He was a very unique person and will be missed by all who are fortunate enough to know him!
susan stahl shehan
Bill, Bob, and family my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Sue
Jim Crook
Wonderful job on the obituary clip.. brought back many great memories of Wallace… how short life is!
STEPHEN D BENSON
Wally was my instructor for Advanced Piloting which he taught a Louviers in the late seventies. About 5 years later those skills let me take my 33′ sailboat from the Chesapeake to Cape Cod to celebrate my 40th birthday.
Twenty years later, those skills let me take our 46′ sailboat to the Bahamas, Florida Keys, and West Coast of Florida for several winters.
Wally was a great instructor who gave his time unselfishly to help his students. Thank you Wally for your inspiring work. Keep sailing on.
Nancy DeHaan
Karen and Deb, what a beautifully written obituary and picture remembrance. Our love to all of your family as you move forward.
Rosemary Meece
Karen, I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful obituary describing a full life. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Barbara Walbeck England
Karen, my heart is heavy for you. Reading Rapp’s beautiful obituary made me realize how much he had in common with my father. I will miss seeing his smile at Caraway and I will miss seeing you. My prayers are with you and the whole family. Rest in peace Rapp.
Dick Patterson
Karen, Sallie and I send our heartfelt condolences on your loss. The few times we had a chance to chat with Wally we found him to be a very interesting and kind person. Stay safe and well.
Susan White
Dear Karen – I am so sorry for your loss. I never had the privilege to meet Wallace, but your obituary really makes me wish I had. My prayers and with you and your family in this very difficult time. Susan White
Carey Kiernan
Pat, I’m sorry for your loss. I knew Wallace from his last few years at DuPont and when he was a contractor at Allen-Bradley. We use to crew with Wallace after work when we would see if we could make it down to the Annapolis bring and back in one night. We usually would leave around 4-5PM and if we made it, We’d get back around 2AM. He was a great guy to crew with and he taught me quite a bit about nigh time navigation. He was one of a kind and smart as hell! He’ll be missed.
Tami
Karen. And extended family I am so sorry for your loss of your husband Wallace, Jodi and i just found out that he had passed away. Just sorry we didnt acknowledge this after it happened, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this tough time.
Love,
Tami jo Ferretti