Dr. Hewlette Spencer Crawford, Jr., 93, of Radford, passed away Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Hewlette was born in Syracuse, N.Y., June 4, 1931 to his parents, Hewlette S. Crawford, Sr. and Gladys Cole Crawford who predeceased him. Others who also predeceased Hew include his first wife, Joyce Henley Crawford, his brother Dwayne Crawford and grandson, Brian Hannifan.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Hopkins Crawford; son, Bruce Crawford; Daughters, June Crawford (Jay Noonkester), Nancy Crawford Landes (Bill) and Patricia Dibble; stepson, Jerry Smith (Jennifer); stepdaughters, Alisa Hannifan and Kay Duplissie (Kevin); and brother, Ned Crawford (Mary). In addition, Hew is survived by six grandsons, five granddaughters and seven great-grandchildren.
After completing a stint in the U. S. Army in the 1950s, Hewlette went on to pursue his postsecondary education at University of Michigan and University of Missouri, ultimately obtaining his PhD in Forestry and Wildlife. From his love of nature, he crafted an illustrious profession as a research biologist with the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. He authored countless scientific books and articles during the course of his career at U. S. Forest Service Research Experiment Stations in Columbia, MO, Blacksburg and Orono, Maine.
Hew and Ruth enjoyed living on their 100-acre property in Maine for almost 50 years, as well as their winter home in South Carolina and their lakefront retreat in New Brunswick, Canada. Hewlette and Ruth recently moved to Radford to be near family. Through ups and downs of both, Hew was a diehard Detroit Tigers fan and a voracious follower of the U. S. Stock Market. He lived a good life and was well-respected and loved.
The family wishes to extend their deepest appreciation to the staff of Cindy’s Companion Care and ACG Hospice for their loving and gentle care of Hewlette these past few months. The Crawford family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.
