Obituaries
Richard Thomas "Dickie" Crowder
08/03/1939 - 05/30/2024
Richard Thomas “Dickie” Crowder, age 84 of Baskerville, VA, died Thursday, May 30, 2024 in the Hundley Center, South Hill, Va. Mr. Crowder was an American government official and academic who served as Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative and Under Secretary of Agriculture for International Affairs and Commodity Programs. Crowder was born and raised in Southern Virginia. His father was a tenant farmer. He earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Virginia Tech and was commissioned through ROTC at Virginia Tech and served two years in the U.S. Army. After active duty he earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma State University–Stillwater.
He was a member of the boards of directors of Mendel Biotechnology, Inc. and Neogen. He was also a trustee of the Farm Foundation. Prior to entering public service, Crowder first worked for Exxon as a staff economist, then for Wilson, the Pillsbury Company, and Eckrich. Crowder served as the Under Secretary of Agriculture for International Affairs and Commodity Programs from 1989 to 1992 before becoming the Senior Vice President of DeKalb Genetics Corporation, then head of the American Seed Trade Association. He served as Chief Agricultural Negotiator as a U.S. Trade Representative with the rank of Ambassador from January 2006 to May 2007 in the Bush administration. In 2008 Crowder joined the agricultural economics faculty of Virginia Tech. In 2013, he was the recipient of the American Farm Bureau's Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award. Then he was appointed C.G. Thornhill Professor of Agricultural Trade at Virginia Tech. He was reappointed to the position in 2018. He is survived by his wife Margaret Taylor Rainey Crowder of Baskerville and Minneapolis MN., two sons, Richard Morgan Crowder of Denver, CO and Matthew Blackwell Crowder of Atlanta, GA. and his sister Linda C. McClellan (Archie) of Baskerville, VA. A funeral service will be conducted Sunday, June 2, 2024 at 1:00 P.M. in Shiloh United Methodist Church, Baskerville with interment to follow in the La Crosse Cemetery with American Legion Post 79 Military Honors. The family request memorial contributions be made to the Mecklenburg Co. Cancer Association, P. O. Box 311, Chase City, VA 23924. Online condolences may be through our website at www.crowderhitecrews.com
Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home is serving the Crowder family.
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RIP Professor Crowder
Professor Crowder was a man whose mentorship and guidance has been a powerful influence on me and whose wisdom has helped spear much of my professional success to date. I took his class at Virginia Tech by chance and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
For years afterwards, he would respond to emails and take calls from me as I worked through early career and young adulthood hurdles. To him, it was probably trivial and I hope he passed knowing the tremendous impact he’s had on myself and other students he took under his wing.
The final time we were able to talk, I asked him how I could ever repay him for everything he had shared with me. His response, as was usually the case with him, was a perfect blend of humor, sincerity and wisdom:
“1. Continue fighting for free trade and globalization and against disinformation
2. Always be good and kind to those around you and one day, help those who come after you the same way I’ve tried to do with you.”
All I could say back while laughing is, “I promise” and boy do I intend to.
retired
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of “Dickie” to his spiritual life and I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends. While growing up on his parents’ tobacco farm at “Petty’s Corner” his loving parents (George and Estelle) taught him and his siblings (Deanie, Nancy and Linda) the true and necessary things in life such as moral values, honesty, education, friendships and the value of a dollar. As he achieved many goals in his life he never forgot his values, family and friends. He will be greatly missed and remembered as a truly exceptional good person!
One of the greats has passed. I worked under (way under) Under Secretary Crowder at USDA in the early 1990s and then very closely with Ambassador Crowder at USTR in the mid 2000s. Strong, energetic, smart, reliable, and no nonsense.. Good policy sense, great negotiating instincts, and fun to be around – always with a good laugh and time to hear you out. He was a mentor and role model for many of us.
My Favorite Memory...
My favorite memory was when Dick called me out for not having dessert or bread, and reminded me that he worked for Pillsbury.
And that our AGR group at the Omaha Roundtable could get dessert at the front desk – they will give our cookies.
Another was his constant reminder to us that we need to be able to ask anyone what are your priorities…and they should be 3 on should be on a 3×5 card.
Ejnar Knudsen
Nephew
I would have liked to have attended services today, and hope the family knows I still send deepest condolences.
I have read some of the condolences, and concur…everyone seemed to want to be better in order not to disappoint Dicky. His approval meant a lot. I hope I don’t quit trying to impress him.
He and Mom shared a birthday of 3 Aug. Their Grandmother Crowder would bake a cake with a dime in it for one of then to receive.
Linda tells me Dicky wrote home one year from camp, wishing he was in the tobacco field, suckling tobacco.
Dicky met so many political and financial leaders, but was still oh so human. He told me one time in his travels he had to pee. Well, no matter which way the stream was flowing, the wind brought it back to him.
I hope we can all still hear his laugh…that way he’ll always be in our hearts.
Margaret, Rick, and Matthew…I sure miss the special occasions when we would gather at Grandma’s…pickle juice and all.
Trustee Chair-Purdue University
I so appreciated the chance to work with Dick when he was with ASTA and Virginia Tech. His passion for service and for excellence was constant and inspiring – as was his candor. He will be deeply missed, but what a legacy across agriculture he leaves…sending thoughts and prayers to the Crowder family…
Seedway retired
I was blessed to work with Dick at ASTA during reorganization of governance of the Association. His leadership was effective and dynamic. I learned a great deal from him.
He remains high on my list of exceptional individuals!
Friend of Family Membets
My condolences- I do know that aside from all of his career accomplishments, he was deeply lived and respected by many. His sister Dean Crowder Lawson was a coworker and my friend. She so loved her dear brother and glowed when she spoke of him. Niece Connie Lynn loved and had much concern and respect for her Dear Uncle especially during the later years and during this difficult time as his health declined. And of course there is his dear friend Roy Lee Jones. You were a constant help and friend to Dickie for so many years. By his side to assist with anything that he needed when it came to maintaining properties, gardening and always a true, caring friend. May God comfort and bless all that lived and cared for him. Prayers for peace and comfort and I pray that Dean and Dickie are laughing and embracing one another in Heaven
“Ambassador “ as I fondly addressed him was my boss at USTR and dear friend. It was an honor to remain his friend until his last moments. May his soul rest in peace!
Former ASCS Administrator
Dick Crowder was my boss and best friend at USDA. We have keep in touch ever since. He was outstanding in every way and will be missed by all who knew him. Praying for his family and everyone that misses him. Keith Bjerke
Former Deputy Secretary/USDA
There was a magnetism about Dick’s personality which was difficult to resist. We worked on many projects together because he was so clear of thought and got to the point. Dick went to Afghanistan with me at my request for this reason. His “report” was spot on as to what we needed to do in that war torn country. I found that report recently and sent it to him as reminder of his excellent work. June 2nd was a heavy day here at the farm by not being able to go to North Carolina for the funeral. Fortunately Dick had called me about 3 weeks before and told me what was to soon happen. What a sad, yet wonderful moment it was to hear him one last time. That call will be special for all my remining days. What a dear friend for so many years. JM
Senior Director International Technical Services
For Margaret, Richard, Matthew and Linda:
I had spent 22 years with DEKALB and was approached by Dick to assume a position in DEKALB’s International Division. I accepted and quickly found that Dick worked at a faster pace while expecting rapid turnaround of projects while maintaining the best interests of the company in all matters.
He introduced me to the SOON Clock. Every hour had the word “SOON” instead of the numeric time. Those that when asked when they would accomplish their assigned task and hesitated in their reply, showed up to a meeting late, didn’t beat Dick to work were candidates of being awarded the SOON clock. It was not an honor to have it on your desk.
I learned a lot from Dick. I respected his ability to take a situation seen as complex by most and compartmentalize it into 3 factors that needed to be addressed. He could read a financial spread sheet better than most CPA’s. He expected a lot from his staff and worked with an extremely loyal crew.
Margaret, I met you once at an International Division Christmas Party held at the Fisherman’s Inn. I doubt if you remember me but it was a most enjoyable evening.
I just want you all to know that Dick influenced me to be a better person and I tried never to disappoint him in what he asked me to do.
May he Rest in Peace.
Dr. David Smith
Senior Director
International Technical Services
DEKALB Genetics Corporation
VCU Hundley
Mr. Crowder was a kind man with a contagious smile. My sincere condolence’s and prayers to the families & families.🙏🏾
Margaret I’m so saddened to hear of Dickies passing. God’s peace for you and the family. I know the road traveled has been difficult too. My prayers continue
Ms
I am so thankful for the opportunity and time for getting to know Mr. Crowder. His smile was infectious! He will be truly missed. My condolences and prayers for his family and friends…
Former DG for Agriculture and Trade of the European Commission
As Chief Agricultural Negotiator of the European Union between 2006 and 2010, I have had the opportunity to meet Dick Crowder and to negotiate with him. There was enormous mutual respect between us. His competence, his loyalty, his devotion to US farmers were outstanding. His rectitude was impressive. He had a rare quality among trade negotiators, telling the truth. At the end of the day, it is the best way to set up trust between negotiators, I miss him as a friend with such outstanding human qualities, Let me present my deepest condolences to his family.
So sorry about the loss of Dickie. Such a kind man will be truly missed. Prayers for the family.