Horatio Nelson Crooks

Horatio Nelson Crooks, 95, died in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, after a short illness.

Born March 24, 1921, in Parkersburg to Edwin William Crooks and Rebecca Dils Crooks, he graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1939 and Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Pa., in December 1942 with a B.S. in Physics. Nelson served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1943 until 1946, attaining the rank of Captain. On March 9, 1946, he married Evelyn Lucille Orr of Pittsburgh, Pa. Nelson earned a Ph.D. in Physics from Carnegie Tech in 1949.

Working for RCA throughout his career, he lived in various locations in New Jersey and Ohio until finishing his career and retiring in Indianapolis, Ind., in 1984. He moved to Cabot, Pa., in 2013.

Nelson was a member of Boy Scouts of America (an Eagle Scout), Beta Theta Pi fraternity, The Scientech Club of Indianapolis, Ind., and a number of professional and honor societies. While an undergraduate, he served as co-editor of The Thistle, the Carnegie Tech yearbook, with his future wife. Nelson will be especially remembered for his gentle nature, his patience and his love of family, chess, puzzles, metalworking and woodworking.

Nelson was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lucille; and his brothers, Edwin William Crooks Jr. and Robert Dils Crooks.

Survivors include sister, Catherine Crooks Roberts of Marietta, Ohio; son, Horatio Nelson Crooks Jr. (Kathy) of Gibsonia, Pa.; daughters, Ellen Lucille Crooks of Indianapolis, Ind., and Lisa Crooks Zugner (Leo) of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; grandchildren, Megan Elizabeth Crooks, Sara Crooks Heltzell (Jim), Leo Eugene Zugner II (Cambria), Eric Nelson Zugner and Andrew John Crooks; great granddaughters, Rebekah Grace Heltzell, Sydney Faith Heltzell and Adelina Pearl Zugner; as well as many fond nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

A memorial service will be held in Gibsonia, Pa., and interment will be at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Ind. There will be no viewing or visitation.

Memorial contributions are welcome at The Scientech Foundation, 8036 Heyward Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46250-4225.