It is with a heavy heart that I send along the news that CAPT Howard Crosby, USN (Ret) passed away on 16 April. Howard and his wife Phylis were great supporters of ours and his spirit will live on in our mission. I only had the great pleasure of meeting him on several occasions when I first arrived and we quickly found the common ground of four years spent at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. Although we were of different generations, the alumni thread runs deep and our shared experiences made that common connection special.
CAPT Crosby spent his career in the silent service becoming skipper of two submarines and when he retired he and Phylis moved back to Newcastle where they first met. His support of and participation in a number of organizations in the Seacoast area including the UNH Marine Docents and the Seacoast Science Center were noteworthy. He will be sorely missed.
Here is the link to his obituary in Seacoast Online:
Howard S. Crosby, Capt. USN Ret. Obituary – Seacoastonline.com
With respect, Rich Clyborne
Born in San Francisco into a Navy family in 1926, Howard led a full and active life until his peaceful passing on April 16th.
He is survived by Phyllis his wife of 68 years, 4 children, 7 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.
Howard graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1948 and spent the next 32 years defending our country. He wore his submariner dolphins proudly and distinguished himself not only at sea as captain of the USS Bashaw and USS LaSalle, but also as a key member of several collaborative domestic and international land-side staffs.
Upon retirement to New Castle, and the same property where he and Phyllis first met, he became very active in numerous civic and volunteer activities including town planning, colonial archaeology, environmental conservation, and oceanographic education. Among other things, he and Phyllis became marine docents teaching children across the state about the wonders of New Hampshire’s Rocky Shore. When not traveling the world, the Science Center at Odiorne Point State Park and Strawbery Banke became second homes.
His legacy left the world a bit of a better place. In accordance with his wishes, Howard’s ashes will be scattered privately by the family.
Posted online on April 21, 2022
Published in Portsmouth Herald/Foster’s Daily Democrat/Seacoast Sunday, Portsmouth Herald/Foster’s Daily Democrat/Seacoast Sunday
