Edward Riley ‘Ed’ Crowther

Published 12:50 pm Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Edward Riley “Ed” Crowther, emeritus professor of history at Adams State University, succumbed Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025 to injuries sustained in a fall. He died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends. He was 65.

Ed was born on Nov. 29, 1959 in Vicksburg, Mississippi to Charles Riley Crowther and Alice Annabelle Koonce Crowther. There among the National Military Park battlefields and monuments, he gained an early interest in Civil War history. Ed grew up in Vicksburg, and received a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College in theology. Then, deciding history was more relevant, went on to earn a master’s and a doctorate from Auburn University in Alabama. In 1988, Ed came to teach at Adams State (College) in Alamosa, Colorado, where he taught history for 30 years, retiring in 2018.

Ed was also a teacher on and off the football field, bearing the distinguished title of Coach OG (old guy). After retirement from the university, Ed continued his football coaching duties, including those of operations manager and sole carrier of Gator and water keys. He was a key influence in several community partnership organizations, regional coordinator for History Day Colorado, and lately as president of the Adams State Foundation board. Ed was fundamentally kind and inclusive, but did not suffer fools or tolerate laziness. In this, he was always hardest on himself. He always took time for a workout at the gym. Known also for his outsized voice, he often was called on to marshal graduation ceremonies, and was a popular Martin Luther King Day speaker. Having no biological children, Ed was a mentor and father figure to students, teachers, coaches and players. Many Thanksgivings and summer gatherings found us with new “family” members.

Ed is survived by his wife, Lori Tanner; stepsons, Brian Capell (Darya and son Clark) of Seattle, Matthew Capell (Nora McBride) of Alamosa, Colorado; sister, Carol Verbeck of Denver; nephew, Christopher Verbeck of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and brother Carl Crowther of Austin. Ed is preceded in death by his parents.

Cremation was chosen and a Memorial Celebration will be planned for a later date.  Donations in Ed’s name are encouraged to be made to the Adams State Foundation, c/o Tammy Lopez, 208 Edgemont Blvd, Alamosa, CO 81101.

Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, remembrances, or words of comfort for Ed’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com.