Robert "Doug" Crutcher

Doug was born October 16, 1944 to Robert and Juanita (Salmon) Crutcher in Owensboro Kentucky and passed away on November 30, 2024 at his home.

Doug went to several schools and graduated from N. Marshall High in 1964

After graduation, Doug joined the Navy where he served from 1964 to 1968. He was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Chicago IL for 3 months and then Mayport FL for 9 months and then was stationed in Newfoundland the remainer of his time in the Navy. While in the Navy, he was a crew chief on a helicopter and earned his air crew wings

After getting out of the Navy in 1968, he returned to Marshall County Ky where he worked at Moors for a short time then he moved to Evansville IN where he worked at Tri State Aero as an airplane mechanic and went back to school to learn welding and machine shop. In 1972 Doug accepted a position with Hogland Barge Line and worked on riverboats until retiring in 2006 as a chief engineer for Western Ky Navigation. In 1976 Doug married Charlette Stewart . While they divorced after 16 years - they have remained friends ever since.

Doug lived in Arkansas from 1974 to 1995. While in Arkansas Doug built a home on 20 acres and had a hobby farm there. Doug moved to Knoxville in 1995 and lived there until 2004 when Doug returned to his family home on Captain Lane in Marshall County KY. Doug is known by most people in the area and for anyone that needs to know anything about anything - Doug usually will know the answer.

Doug’s world took a turn in 2018 when Doug married Tuky from Thailand. They were wed by the waters edge just down from their house by the Big Kahuna. Doug was thrilled to have a new best friend to share their love and adventure with. Doug and Tuky made a great pair and traveled extensively including 4 trips to Thailand. What a blessing Tuky has been for Doug and we all have found a wonderful friend in Tuky.

Doug would want to be remembered as a man that loved the outdoors and adventure. Doug enjoyed traveling - white water kayaking in Colorado was his favorite, biking, boating – he kayaked in 15 states and 4 countries, sailing, rock climbing, hiking and martial arts – where he earned his brown belt - just to name a few. 

Doug also was a certified kayak and swift water rescuer, a certified personal fitness trainer, certified in avalanche rescuer and was a certified aircraft mechanic.

Doug also volunteered for many organizations teaching kayaking, canoeing, sailing, rafting – anything to promote the outdoors and adventure.

Doug is survived by his wife, Tuky Crutcher, 3 sisters – Nita (Buck) Rogers Deborah Crutcher and Robin (Bill) Phillips and 3 nephews.

It is Doug’s wishes to be cremated and to have his ashes spread in Buckhorn Bay and at the Buffalo National River between Ponca and Steel Creek. 

There will be a private service at a later date.