March 14, 1944 ~ July 13, 2016
Bob died peacefully on July 13, 2016 at Carson Tahoe Hospital after a long battle with lung disease.
Bob was born on March 14, 1944 and grew up in the San Fernando Valley of California. He was one of four children born to Merridy and Jack Crookshanks.
He graduated from Taft High School in 1963. Shortly thereafter, he moved to the greater Carson City area. He worked at the Jacks Valley Ranch before enlisting in the Nevada Air Guard where he proudly served his country.
He met Irma Giovacchini at a local race track and they soon married. Not long thereafter, Bob and Irma became the proud parents of Clinton Robert and then Christopher Alan.
Throughout his life, Bob’s career was very diverse. He spent time working for various companies and finally as a claims adjustor for Nationwide Insurance where he retired in 2006.
Bob was a wizard with motors. His free time was spent tinkering with anything with a carburetor. He was very proud of the Cushman motor scooters and hit-and-miss engines he restored and was known to many as the go-to guy to fix anything with a small engine. Many weekends were spent with friends at swap meets and tractor shows near and far. He was also a lifelong fan of racing. Whether it was Indy car, sprint cars, drag racing, World of Outlaws, or NASCAR, he absolutely loved cars turning left. Bob was never shy around people. He could meet anyone on the planet and become best friends within five minutes.
Bob is survived by Irma, his wife of 46 years as well as sons Clinton Robert (Kristen) of Elizabeth, Colorado and Christopher Alan (Chelise) of Carson City and four grandchildren; Cade, Chloe, Taryn, and Calla. He also leaves brothers William (Sandy) and Jack (Susan) as well as sister Dee Dee Grant in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory can made to the American Lung Association and Speedway Children’s Charities.
Services will be held at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Carson City on Friday, July 22 at 11:00 a.m. with interment to follow.
A Celebration of Bob’s life and those he touched will take place at the Trimmer Outpost in Genoa from 3:00 until 4:00 p.m. on the same day.
We would love to unite with family and friends at either celebration or hopefully both.
