Civic Leader Crocker Dies

One of Pasadena's most progressive young civic leaders died Thursday after five months of hospitalization for cancer.

Benjamin Crocker, 38-year-old chairman of the board of Lincoln Savings & Loan, died at Kaiser Hospital in Los Angeles July 26, 1973.  Crocker's campaign for the number one seat on the Pasadena Board of Education was interrupted when he was hospitalized February 22 with terminal cancer.  Perhaps best known for his innovative approach to play environments for children, Crocker was the initiator of the Linda Vista School Playground Project.  The project, which called on parent volunteers to construct play facilities of surplus materials, has served as a successful guideline for similar projects in the Pasadena School District.

Crocker took an active interest in the schools in all areas of Pasadena.  With the philosophy that all children should receive the best possible education, he ran his school board campaign as a liberal and a proponent of the busing plan in Pasadena.

A graduate of Stanford Law School in 1958 and member of the California Bar Association, Crocker was a member of the Stanford University Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Real Property Section of the Los Angeles Bar Association, chairman of the Savings and Loan Attorneys Committee and editor of the Los Angeles Bar Bulletin.

In addition to his role as community leader he was a director of Goodwill Industries, a life member of the Sierra Club and member of the Republican Slate central committee for two election years.

He is survived by his widow Nan, a nine year old daughter and seven year old son.

Pasadena Star-News, July 28, 1973