Miller School Says Farewell to the Rev. Thomas Crowder
One of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s long-time faculty members, the Rev. Thomas E. Crowder, B.D., M.L.S., passed away at his South Miami home on January 21.
Rev. Thomas E. Crowder
“The ‘Rev,’ as we all referred to him, served as our associate dean for student affairs with distinction for years and was beloved by all, especially the students,” said Alex J. Mechaber, M.D., Bernard J. Fogel Chair in Medical Education, professor of medicine and senior associate dean for undergraduate medical education. “He was one of a kind, a gentle soul and a consummate student advocate.”
Born in Atlanta on March 31, 1925, Crowder joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 and served in the Pacific. He later received a degree from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, and was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1966.
After earning a degree in library science from Emory University, Crowder was appointed director of libraries at Mississippi State University in 1961. A lifelong advocate for civil rights, equality and peace, Crowder contributed a video message to the University of Miami Libraries on race discrimination at the University of Mississippi during the 1960s.
Crowder came to the University of Miami as chaplain and director of coordinated ministries, and was inducted into the Iron Arrow Honor Society in 1975. He became associate director of the residency training program in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. He was appointed associate dean for student affairs at the medical school in 1987, where he worked until his retirement in 2003.
In recognition of his contributions to education, every year the Thomas Crowder Award is given to a fourth-year medical student.
Crowder is survived by his wife, Teri Thompson; four children: Edward Dameron Crowder, of Winston-Salem, N.C.; Thomas Jonathan Crowder of Davie; Elizabeth McRary Crowder of Atlanta; Michael Faison Crowder (Kristina) of Simi Valley, Ca.; and 10 grandchildren. He is also survived by his former wife, Mildred Smith Crowder of Asheville, NC.
Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, January 27, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Stanfill Funeral Home, 10545 S. Dixie Highway. A service will be held there on Sunday, January 28, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to DOCS – the Mitchell Wolfson Sr. Department of Community Service, and reference that the donation is in memory of Rev. Thomas Crowder.