Don Crabb

Obituary 12 August 2009

The Lincoln University community notes with sadness the passing of a former long-serving staff member, Don Crabb.

Don, who died in Christchurch on Saturday 8 August aged 74, retired from the University 12 years ago after holding a number of senior positions.

His career here started in 1970 when he joined the then Rural Development and Extension Centre {RDEC) as Information Officer. He rose to become Director of RDEC then Director of its successor the Centre for Continuing Education, which is today the Professional Development Group.

In his almost 30-year career with Lincoln University Don made his mark in many areas.

These included being associated with the inception of the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, the Treasury Management Programme, the Elder Hostel link, the connection
with Japan's Ryukoku University, and a close alliance with the South Island Agricultural Field Days, all of which are still part of Lincoln University's extension work today.

Don was very well known in University extension activities throughout Canterbury and further afield. Many cropping farmers, in particular, will remember him in association with
what was in its day the country's top cereal growing competition, the ICI event.

Don was also a long-serving Territorial Army officer and in a period with the Regular Force had served with United Nations military observer groups in the Middle East and Kashmir. He held the MBE award and Efficiency Decoration.

Don was a former pupil of St Andrew's College, where his funeral will be held today {12 August) at 1.00pm.