Bob Crowell committed his retirement years to creating literacy, injury prevention and educational programs for young people living on the Navajo Nation and he was always happy when he could be there selflessly serving others.
Three years ago on March 24, 2020, the world lost a renowned neurosurgeon, great dad and grandfather, kind and gentle man, accomplished pianist, music aficionado, humanitarian and co-founder of Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives—Robert M. Crowell, MD (this link clicks to his obituary).
We miss him so much, but his vision and mission for Eve’s Fund and the legacy of our beloved daughter, Eve Erin Crowell, are continuing every day through our programs for young people living on and near the Navajo Nation in parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Catch up on our most recent important initiatives here.
Today we are honoring Bob with an inaugural memorial gift to current and future Dine (Navajo) music students who are studying piano, violin or other instruments, supported by a Navajo Nation based non-profit organization —The Heartbeat Music Project. Thanks to the ongoing generosity of our“Friends of Eve’s Fund,” we plan to continue our support of this program, in Bob’s memory, on an annual basis.
Photo courtesy of the Heartbeat Music Project
What is the Heartbeat Music Project?
The Heartbeat Music Project (HMP) provides tuition-free music and Navajo cultural education to underprivileged and underserved Diné students in grades K-12 on the campus of Navajo Technical University in Crownpoint, New Mexico.
HMP consists of three programs: the Summer Academy, Winter Workshop, and year-round lessons. The two-week Summer Academy enrolls sixty students and offers daily private lessons, ensemble rehearsals, music studies, and Navajo culture and language, culminating in several community performances. The Winter Workshop is a one-week program during which twenty students from the Summer Academy prepare for community performances, both on and off the Navajo Nation. Students who demonstrate special interest are supported in year-round study with local instructors or virtually with HMP teaching artists. The HMP is continuing to increase its year-round study opportunities for all students.
Photo courtesy of the Heartbeat Music Project
Gratitude from the Heartbeat Music Project Team
Upon hearing of the Eve’s Fund gift of music in Bob’s memory, Ariel Horowitz, HMP’s founder and artistic director wrote: “We are immensely grateful, touched, moved, and honored that Eve’s Fund is supporting our students at HMP! We have several piano students who are hard at work in lessons with our piano teacher, Diné pianist and musicologist Renata Yazzie, and are so touched that in your daughter and her father’s memory, a new generation of pianists and/or other young instrumentalists will be supported.”
You can read more about the Heartbeat Music Project team, many of whom are accomplished musicians here.
Photo courtesy of the Heartbeat Music Project
Like Father, Like Daughter
From an early age, Eve shared her father’s love of music. Her talent was apparent early, and she could carry a tune and sing songs at the age of two. Eve began piano lessons at a young age, and at 12 years she was honored to be asked to play at her babysitter’s wedding. Eve always loved the song she played and sang that day: “Theme from Ice Castles.” A soloist sang this at her funeral, and although we were inconsolable, it brought back treasured memories.
Eve and her dad at the piano on her second birthday
Eve Erin Crowell playing piano duets with her dad
At age 12, Eve played the piano and sang at her babysitter’s wedding.
Third grader, Eve Erin Crowell’s Music Award for a piano recital
Help us remember Bob today
If you knew Bob and haven’t yet done so, we hope you will take a few minutes to share a few memories on either of his published obituaries and associated tribute walls. We are truly grateful to those of you who have already shared your condolences and memories. If you didn’t know Bob, reading the kind words that people have written, including many notes of appreciation from his patients and/or their families, will help you understand how his life and his passing have impacted so many. Here are the links to Bob’s obituaries:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/berkshire/name/robert-crowell-obituary?id=7244649
https://grahamfuneralhomerye.com/tribute/details/344/Robert-Crowell/condolences.html#content-start
Donate to Eve’s Fund in Bob’s Memory
We anticipate being able to support music education on the Navajo Nation for many years to come through annual gifts to the Heartbeat Music Project. This is an initiative that Bob would have cherished.
We are grateful to all of you who donated in Bob’s memory at the time of his death and those funds have enabled us to build up an endowment in support of programs such as the Heartbeat Music Project.
If you would like to make either an online or offline gift to Eve’s Fund in Bob’s memory, click the Donate link below for instructions.
the Heartbeat Music Project, in Bob’s Memory.
Image by starline on Freepik
P.S. Another way you can help us remember Bob today is by listening to any classical music of your choosing. His favorites were Bach, Brahms, Mozart, Chopin and the list goes on and on. Just enjoy! We all miss him so much.
