Memorial Trees
A
Anonymous
January 11, 2025
Memorial trees planted for:
Robert McCrillis
<p>DURHAM: Robert Colby McCrillis, 85, passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at Duke Regional Hospital.</p><p>He was born in Middleboro, MA to the late Clifton and Ruth McCrillis. In addition to his parents, Mr. McCrillis</p><p>is also preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa McCrillis; brothers, Walter, George, and Charles McCrillis.</p><p><br></p><p>Mr. McCrillis is survived by his wife of 65 years, Doris McCrillis; daughter, Robin Hill and husband Milton; son,</p><p>Neal McCrillis and wife Michèle; sister-in-law, Lorraine McCrillis; grandchildren, Ryan, Derek, Joshua, and</p><p>Quigley; great grandchildren, Colby, Lucas, Katie, Cannon, Harley, and Alora; brother, John McCrills and wife Sharon.</p><p><br></p><p>Mr. McCrillis was a mechanical engineer who worked for Pratt and Whitney (now part of Raytheon) and The</p><p>Boeing Company, where he contributed to the launch of the iconic 747, before joining the Environmental</p><p>Protection Agency (EPA) in 1971. He remained a fan of airshows, going to see the Blue Angels this past year.</p><p>He spent three decades at EPA working to reduce air pollution from steel plants and wood stoves. Another</p><p>highlight of his work at EPA was collaborating with Soviet engineers to curtail air pollution as part of U.S.</p><p>détente policy. This work included trips to the Soviet Union and hosting Soviet engineers during the late 1970s</p><p>and early 1980s.</p><p><br></p><p>Mr. McCrillis loved designing and building during his free time. He was an avid woodworker, building a sewing</p><p>table and cabinet, and a drop keel sailboat among other things. He also loved astronomy and built his own</p><p>refractor telescope, grinding the lens himself. He enjoyed tasty food and good beer with good company. For</p><p>some years he made his own beers, including a genuinely nice porter. He always enjoyed a good laugh and</p><p>introduced his children to Monty Python in the early 1970s. In later years he devoted much of his time to family,</p><p>including caring for and spending time with his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.</p><p><br></p><p>A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, January 12th at Clements Funeral Chapel in Durham. The</p><p>family will receive friends immediately following the service.</p><p><br></p><p>In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.</p><p><br></p><p>The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. in Durham. Online condolences</p><p>may be sent to www.clementsfuneralservice.com.</p><p><br></p>February 17, 1939 - January 1, 202502/17/193901/01/2025
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