281 DAVID CROUCH DESIGNED BY OLIVIA DUNN ON JAN. 31, 2022, DAVID CROUCH, former director of University public relations, died at age 74. The death of Crouch, who served for nearly 50 years at Harding in various public relations roles, revealed the depth and magnitude of his impact among his family, friends and colleagues. “He made all of us who knew him feel like we were the special one,” Executive Vice President David Collins said. In true PR pro fashion, Crouch planned much of his funeral ahead of time, asking Collins to read his prewritten message — a humble autobiographical profile of a man who admitted he preferred to work behind the scenes. “He quietly, unassumedly ministered to those who were in need,” longtime friend and colleague Kay Gowen said. “In every area of his life, he served — and served well. In all of the 46 years that he gave his heart and soul in service to Harding, he never sought recognition — and he received very little. He worked behind the scenes and made an incredible impact on the mission of Harding.” Crouch served as Bison editor in 1969-70. In hiring employees for the University’s public relations office that he directed from 1987-2016, Crouch often looked to Student Publications alumni. Longtime employees Tom Buterbaugh and Jeff Montgomery served in various capacities on the Petit Jean yearbook staff. Both were involved in Crouch’s memorial service. Hannah Owens, who held several roles on the Petit Jean, worked in the University’s public relations office from 20112020, reporting to Crouch many of those years. She recalled her first day on the job in a blog post tribute after his death. “When I showed up for work on my first day he showed me to my office, told me how to log into my computer and said he needed a news release about an event that was happening next week ready to fax to Little Rock media by noon,” Owens wrote. “After Googling how to do everything I just typed, I got to work. I showed up that day with no idea why he took a chance on this fresh college [graduate] who sucked at science, but he changed my life and taught me more about communications than anyone ever has.” Outside of Harding, Crouch belonged to the Searcy Optimist Club, serving as president, vice president and secretary/treasurer. In 2021, he was named Optimist Citizen of the Year. Part of the Optimist Creed, shared by Collins as part of Crouch’s prewritten funeral message, was: “Promise yourself … to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.” Former University President Bruce McLarty also spoke at the funeral per Crouch’s request years ago. “David Crouch was a pillar in this church,” McLarty said. “He was a rock in this community. He was a devoted follower of Jesus, and he was my friend: the kind of friend that you know makes you a better person.” Longtime friend Dan Newsom concluded the tribute to Crouch before Buterbaugh’s closing prayer. “He has truly left this world better than he found it,” Newsom said. WRITTEN BY APRIL FATULA In Memory of: DAVID CROUCH Beloved former director of University public relations David Crouch dies at age 74. SWEET TALKS Former director of University public relations talks with friends in the Watson Center. Crouch served Harding for nearly 50 years. Photo courtesy of: Jeff Montgomery
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