Obituary of Robert Forrest Crow

Robert Forrest Crow, Communications Pioneer in San Luis Valley, Colorado was born February 20, 1934 in Del Norte, Colorado and passed away February 28, 2021 at the age of 87 in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. He attended Del Norte Schools, and was self employed for 61 years. His early life was spent on his family farm of 360 acres along the Rio Grande River. The family grew grain and potatoes, and Robert invented and patented a potato cutter at age 17. Robert leased land and farmed for three years before volunteering for the military draft. He joined the army and was stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After two years in the army, he farmed again, while taking a correspondence course for television repair, which was a new vocation. In 1960, he purchased a TV repair business from Bud DeSautel in Monte Vista, before ever working on a real television. He was very confident in his abilities, which carried through his entire lifetime. His first business was called Crow’s Radio and TV, and eventually evolved into a Motorola Service Center, repairing two way radios. He completed two more correspondence courses for his Second and First Degree Radio Technicians Licenses. In 1970, Robert started the first RCC mobile phone service, naming it Valley Communications. He then started the first paging system, naming it Mount View Communications. In 1981, Robert was appointed a newly formed Motorola Advisory Counsel for two years, which met in different large cities all across the US. Motorola executives with this counsel of 15 Motorola Service Center owners, toured the Texas Motorola Factory, and met Motorola owner Bob Galvin. Also in 1981, Robert purchased a SMR radio/telephone system for the San Luis Valley, which provided excellent two way radio and telephone communication for the entire valley. In 1982 Robert married Shirley Kincannon, and they have been married 38 years. In 1996, the couple purchased their first motor home and began traveling, which became a 25 year adventure throughout the entire US and Canada. In 1998, they bought a home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Robert had an inventive and creative mind. He loved challenges, technology, friends, family and life in general. He was a unique, quiet, kind, generous and affectionate person. Preceded in death are Robert’s parents, DeForrest Crow, and Ruth Schroeder, his daughter Kari Kincannon, his sister Dorothy Higginson, and brother Howard Crow. Survivors include wife, Shirley Kincannon, son Cliff Kincannon (Cari), Monte Vista, Co, Grandchildren Harley Ann Kincannon, Colton Kincannon, Chevy Kincannon, Veronica Kincannon, Max Kincannon and Maribel Kincannon, all of Monte Vista Sister in law, Betty Spears, Palmdale, CA Ann Hubbard and Brother in law, Robert Hubbard, Portland, OR. Nieces include Nancy Cook, Northridge CA, Cindi Taylor, Highlands Ranch, CO, Jackie Higginson, Santa Fe, NM, Joan Bogguess (Eric), Pueblo West, CO, Judy Schkerke (Charlie), Hershey, IL, Joyce Singh (Tony), Le Claire, IA, Jannette Young (Kenny), Davenport, IA, Wendy Stacy, (Charles), Waco, KY, and Sheri Randall, (Eugene), Tampa, FL, and many grand nieces and nephews. Services were entrusted to the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. To send a free card go to www.sendoutcards.com/lietzfraze.