ASSOCIATION OF AVIATION ORDNANCEMEN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
Committee Chair: Rick Garza
The origin of the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen Educational Foundation can be traced back to one of the original objectives contained in the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen Charter which is to “Provide and promote recognition and remembrance of those Aviation Ordnancemen who have sacrificed their lives for their country, by supporting the memorial scholarship fund established by the National Association.”
Recognizing the cost of higher education prevented many highly deserving, motivated and qualified individuals from seeking academic growth beyond the high school level; it was decided to establish the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen Memorial Scholarship Fund. The first scholarship was awarded to a single individual in 1979. A simple “passing of the hat” among the members present raised the funds for the award collecting a total of $250.00.
With strong and generous support of the general membership and local Chapters, the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen was able to continue the tradition of awarding scholarships to qualified and deserving individuals. In subsequent years, a standing Scholarship Committee was established to formalize the awards process and selection criteria. During the National convention in 1985 a motion was made from the floor to “so name the scholarship after and in memory of Robert L. Crow, CDR, USN (Retired)”. This motion was so carried and the scholarship was dedicated to the memory of and still bears his name.
From these meager beginnings, the scholarship has continued to grow both in value and number or recipients each year. During the Association’s National convention in 2005, the general membership voted to establish the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen Educational Foundation. The Foundation is a separate entity from the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen and is charged with the administration of the CDR Robert L. Crow Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The Foundation is a separate group of elected officials charged with ensuring the continued growth, security, and integrity of the Robert L. Crow Scholarship Fund. Throughout each year, the Officers and members of the Board of Directors of the Foundation conduct business as required to improve the scholarship program and the benefits provided to the Association’s membership. They monitor various scholarship and financial aid programs offered to military personnel and their dependents and provide information to the membership through Red Shirt articles and the local Chapters of the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen. The Officers and members of the Board of Directors of the Foundation also meet once each year during the annual convention of the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen.
CDR Robert L. Crow, USN (Ret)
BIOGRAPHY
Robert L. Crow was born February 18, 1932 to Gooley and Pearl Crow. Died April 13, 1985.
Robert Crow enlisted in the U.S. Navy May 1949 in St. Joseph Mo. Was Commissioned Ensign June 1960 through the LDO program. In August 1977 achieved the rank of Commander, and retired from the Naval service after 30 years of successful and challenging assignments throughout his career on 1 March 1979 at North Island, San Diego, California.
Robert Crow married the former Betty Johns on March 28, 1951, they had 2 daughters; Deborah Crow/Quinn and Rhonda Crow/Jones and 1 grandson, Robert M. Tupper.