Kenneth Elmer Crooks
Born December 14, 1931, in New Castle, PennsylvaniaDeparted July 28, 2024 in Melbourne, Florida
The heavenly skies have reached down and welcomed back one of their own. On July 28, Colonel (USAF, Ret.) Kenneth Elmer Crooks, (professor emeritus, Florida Institute of Technology), one of our nation’s most gifted aviators and aeronautics educators, passed away peacefully at his home in Melbourne, Florida. He was 92 years old. He joins his soulmate and wife of 71 years, Kathleen Violet Crooks (Kathy), who passed just a few months ago.
Colonel Crooks, born in 1931 in New Castle, Pennsylvania, grew up in the steel mill towns of Western Pennsylvania. He met his future wife, Kathy, while both were students at Penn State. He was commissioned there as a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Newly married, he was assigned to basic air training in Bartow, Florida. His pilot training included instruction in the T-6 Texan, and the B-25 Mitchell and the Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers. His first operational assignment was in the KC-97 Stratofreighter at Castle Air Force Base, California. He became one of the first Boeing KC-135 instructor pilots, even training the first Boeing 707 commercial airline pilots on the similar Boeing airframe.
Assignments to Strategic Air Command and Air Force Systems Command followed, with bases in Texas, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Hawaii, before he volunteered for service in Vietnam. Flying the C-7 Caribou and other aircraft, he served some four years in the Southeast Asian conflict. Colonel Crooks completed his career commanding aircraft maintenance in Ohio, then as the director of operations for the 45th Air Division, responsible for Mach-2 FB-111 nuclear deterrence missions from the Northeast United States, and as the director of test operations at Strategic Air Command headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska.
During his career, he commanded and directed missions and programs that foresaw the technology and strategic issues of the 21st Century – drones, cruise missiles, anti-ballistic missile interceptors, next generation air combat, space technology, and the adverse effects of modern warfare on global atmospheric conditions. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross for valor, the oak leaf cluster to the Bronze Star, several Air Medals and other awards for distinguished aerial and command achievements. His aerial exploits over the Vietnam skies earned him the nickname “Zig Zag” from the reporters covering the war, and the title “The Bear” from his aircrew and troops. His last official act as an active-duty officer was to commission one son and swear another into officer training school, both with the United States Air Force.
When he retired from the Air Force in 1979, he and his wife Kathy, along with all five of their sons, migrated to Florida, joining relatives in the state. He finished the master’s in public administration degree he started in the Air Force, gained his Realtor license, and taught at high school and as an adjunct instructor at Florida Southern University in Lakeland. He decided to study law at the University of Florida and earned his Juris Doctorate in December 1989.
Hired by the Florida Institute of Technology as an assistant professor of aviation law and management, he was key to advancing FIT’s aeronautics program into a full-spectrum College of Aeronautics. Among his achievements at the university were enhancing the aeronautics school’s global reach and making technology upgrades. Professor Crooks was selected as the Faculty Member of the Year in 1998 and led the college in various senior administrative and legal roles, including that of Interim Dean. He earned the prestige of Emeritus status upon his retirement in 2012.
In his retirement, Ken found joy in mentoring and entertaining the youngsters in his ever-growing family. The sound of children’s giggles and mirth chorused from his home for three generations and his humor and wit entertained and charmed all. A source of pride was that his sons followed him with college degrees into the professions. Finally, he was a tireless, devoted, and incredibly steadfast caregiver to his long-ailing wife, Kathy. No greater love has there ever been.
Ken was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Dorothy Crooks, as well as his sister Dorothy Harrelson, his brothers, Harold and Philip Crooks, and by his wife Kathy. Left to cherish his memory are his sons, Kenneth C. Crooks, Esq. (Rose), Dr. Kerry A. Crooks (Viviene), Col. (USAF Ret.) Kelley W. Crooks (Patty), Kristian “Andy” Crooks (Dawn), Lt. Col. (USAF Ret.) Kyle E. Crooks (Cindy); twelve grandchildren, Kenney Crooks (Stacey), Daniel Crooks (Jennifer), Courtney Crooks, Justin Crooks (Alexis), Katharine Crooks, Victoria Crooks, Kiyra Scheller (Austin), Karly Crooks, Kasey Crooks, Heather Crooks, Dakota Crooks (Josie), Hunter Crooks; thirteen great grandchildren; and his sister Betty Balombini.
The memorial service and celebration of Ken’s extraordinary life will be held at 6 p.m., September 6, 2024, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 106 North Riverside Drive, Indialantic, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, cherished friends, family, and colleagues are encouraged to donate in memory of Ken to a charity of their choice, or to the Florida Institute of Technology’s College of Aeronautics Dean’s Fund. Their contact information is [email protected] or (321) 674-6162.
