Dr. Robert A. Crandell, Ret. USAF Colonel

A much beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, grandfather, colleague and neighbor, passed away on December 15, 2019 after a long illness, he was 95. He joins his beloved wife of 69 years, Mary Jane Richards Crandell and is survived by his four children, Sara Ann, Catherine Lee, Robin and Robert II. Blessed with an extraordinary sense of humor and a kind, generous spirit, Bob lived an abundant, fulfilling life. His interests were wide and he was most devoted to his wife and family, friends and career. Although both Bob and Mary Jane are no longer with us, their love and kindness will live on in the memories of those that were blessed to be part of their lives. They are reunited once again, for eternity as live on earth is one brief moment in time.

Dr. Robert A. Crandell, Retired USAF Colonel, was born in Three Rivers, Michigan to Leland and Marjorie Crandell. He earned his undergraduate and veterinary studies at Michigan State University where he earned a BS degree in Animal Husbandry in 1947 and his DVM degree in 1949. He obtained a MPH degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1955. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Preventative Medicine as well as the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists. Dr. Crandell had a distinguished military career in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 – 1971, obtaining the rank of Colonel and serving eventually as Chief of the Biosciences Division of the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine. He served as Director of the Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Illinois before joining TVMDL, Texas A & M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.

Dr. Crandell contributed much to the understanding of feline viruses and was first to isolate the only feline herpesvirus (feline rhinotracheitis virus). He was the first to isolate and identify feline herpesviruses; he is well known around the world for a much-used cell line he established and which bears his name, i.e., CRFK-Crandell Feline Kidney Cell. During his tenure at TVMDL, Dr. Crandell helped elucidate the role of Cache Valley fever virus, was the first to isolate a calicivirus from vesicular lesions of canines and expanded the serological/virological testing capabilities of the laboratory.

Dr. Crandell served as the founding editor of the Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. He was President of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratories Diagnosticians and received the 1991 that organizations most coveted award, the E. P. Pope Memorial Award. His vision, energy, and painstaking attention to the details of this enterprise are reflected in the success of the Journal in its initial 3 years. Dr. Crandell also served AAVLD in various committee assignments and as Vice-President, President-Elect, and finally President in 1985. Dr. Crandell has been active in the US Animal Health Association, serving on various committees, notably the Committee on Animal Virus Characterization.

He was a long-standing member of the Examination Committee of the American Board of Veterinary Public Health and the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council Animal Health Committee. He was a consultant to National Institutes of Health in comparative virology, a member of the Editorial Board of the American Journal of Veterinary Research, and cochairman of the AVMA Regulatory Program Committee and the Pseudorabies Committee for the Livestock Conservation Institute.

In 1993 Dr. Crandell received the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine Distinguished Veterinary Alumnus. 2001 he was presented with the President’s Award for Outstanding Committee Chairman Distinction in recognition of exemplary leadership and dedication to the National Institute for Animal Agriculture and the NIAA Emerging Diseases Committee. American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians presented him with the Pioneers in Virology Award in 2005.

A special thank you to Traditions Home and Hospice Team for their superior and extraordinary service filled with compassion and passion during his and the family’s journey. A special connection and bond with each and every one of his Hospice Team surpassed all expectations.

Visitation will be held at Memorial Funeral Chapel in College Station on Thursday, January 2nd from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Full Military Honors Ceremony and Burial will be held at Houston National Cemetery at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive in Houston, Texas on Friday, January 3rd at 2:00 p.m.

In remembrance of Robert A. Crandell, the family request contributions to Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org.