Steven H. Crabtree ’63 died on August 9, 2023, in Needham, Massachusetts.

(The following was provided by Ellsworth American on September 20, 2023:)

Steven H. Crabtree ’63

Steven Howard Crabtree died on August 9, 2023, in Needham, MA.

Steve was born to Howard Kent Crabtree and Marian Louise Hopkins Crabtree in Needham, MA, in 1941. He is survived by two siblings: Douglas Crabtree of Concord, NH (Bowdoin Class of 1960), and Robert Crabtree of Jamaica Plain, MA (Bowdoin Class of 1967). He was predeceased by his older brother Lawrence Crabtree.

Steve was predeceased by his lovely and loving wife, Marcia Lynn Patitz Crabtree who died in December, 2022. He grew up in Needham, MA, where he met Marcia at Needham High School and began their lifelong relationship.

Steve graduated from Needham High School in 1959 and from Bowdoin College in 1963. He worked for the New Jersey Bell Telephone Company upon graduating from college. After marrying Marcia in January 1965, they taught school together for two years in Axum, Ethiopia, with the Peace Corps, traveled around Africa, and then returned to Boston, MA for graduate school. Steve completed a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1969.

Inspired by his Peace Corps experience to pursue a career abroad, Steve joined Citibank where his 30 years as a commercial and private banker included memorable stints in Liberia, Lebanon, India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Puerto Rico, England, and Switzerland. He was fiercely loyal to those who worked for him and was a mentor to many.

Steve is survived by his children: Shona Crabtree of Washington, DC; Tyler Crabtree of Houston, TX; Dwight Crabtree of Atyrau, Kazakhstan; and Carolynn Crabtree of Medford, MA; and their respective partners; Alexander Macgillivray, Aimee Woodall, Santi Manuhutu, and Julius Rose; and eight grandchildren. Steve loved his grandchildren immensely, and his legacy will live through them.

Steve had a gift for connection. His love of adventure combined with his irreverent and outgoing nature led to friendships with people all over the world and countless unforgettable experiences.

Steve was actively involved in his childrens’ lives and activities during their childhood. He led Boy Scout trips camping in the Swiss Alps and canoeing down the Ardeche River, oversaw Eagle Scout projects and took his family camping in the desert or skiing as often as possible.

Steve spent many enthusiastic hours playing bridge with his oldest grandsons and Sorry or Uno with the younger grandchildren. He loved pitching to them at backyard baseball games and cheering them on at tennis. His eyes lit up to the end whenever he was with his grandchildren.

After retiring from Citibank, Steve moved back to the United States from London and rooted himself in the close-knit community of Hancock, ME over the last two decades. Steve helped found Crabtree Neck Land Trust (CNLT) in order to conserve land for wildlife and people alike along the Crabtree Neck peninsula, settled by his ancestors in the 1700s. An avid trombone player and music lover, Steve also was a lifelong athlete, participating in sports ranging from lacrosse to golf to tennis to baseball. One highlight was competing in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA as a 12-year-old. Decades later, another high point was winning the USTA Nationals Tennis Tournament in 2007 on the “Silver Foxes” team for players over 60 years old.

Steve was beloved by his family and all who knew his generous, enthusiastic and fun-loving spirit.