Photo provided by UCM
Everyone should have a mentor like Mr. C. As it turns out, everyone did.
Of course, “everyone” is an exaggeration. But the stories shared in the wake of the death of David Crouch, who served nearly 50 years in service to Harding University in various public relations roles, reveal the depth and magnitude of his impact among his family, friends and colleagues.
“He made all of us who knew him feel like we were the special one,” Executive Vice President David Collins said.
In true PR pro fashion, Crouch, who died Jan. 31 at age 74, planned much of his funeral ahead of time, asking Collins to read his prewritten message — a humble autobiographical profile of a man who admitted he preferred to work behind the scenes.
“David Crouch was an honorable, godly man,” longtime friend Kay Gowen said. “He lent his wisdom to the decisions I had to make regarding some extremely difficult situations that arose in that historic year.”
Crouch served as assistant editor to Gowen, who was editor of The Bison in 1968-69.
After graduation, they remained colleagues at the University for decades.
“He quietly, unassumedly ministered to those who were in need,” Gowen said. “In every area of his life, he served — and served well. In all of the 46 years that he gave his heart and soul in service to Harding, he never sought recognition — and he received very little. Although he held an important position that required interaction with the campus community and the general public, he fulfilled his responsibilities without fanfare. He worked behind the scenes and made an incredible impact on the mission of Harding.”
Crouch served as Bison editor in 1969-70. In hiring employees for the University’s public relations office that he directed from 1987-2016, Crouch often looked to Student Publications alumni. Longtime employees Tom Buterbaugh and Jeff Montgomery served in various capacities on the Petit Jean yearbook staff. Both were involved in Crouch’s memorial service.
Hannah Owens, who held several roles on the Petit Jean, worked in the University’s public relations office from 2011-2020, reporting to Crouch many of those years. She recalled her first day on the job in a blog post tribute after his death.
“When I showed up for work on my first day, he showed me to my office, told me how to log into my computer and said he needed a news release about an event that was happening next week ready to fax to Little Rock media by noon,” she wrote. “After googling how to do everything I just typed, I got to work. I showed up that day with no idea why he took a chance on this fresh college grad who sucked at science, but he changed my life and taught me more about communications than anyone ever has.”
Outside of Harding, Crouch belonged to the Searcy Optimist Club, serving as president, vice president and secretary/treasurer. In 2021, he was named Optimist Citizen of the Year.
Part of the Optimist Creed, shared by Collins as part of Crouch’s prewritten funeral message, is: “Promise yourself … to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.”
Former President Bruce McLarty also spoke at the funeral per Crouch’s request years ago.
“David Crouch was a pillar in this church,” McLarty said. “He was a rock in this community. He was a devoted follower of Jesus, and he was my friend: the kind of friend that you know makes you a better person.”
Longtime friend Dan Newsom concluded the tribute to Crouch before Buterbaugh’s closing prayer.
“He has truly left this world better than he found it,” Newsom said.
