Gary Richard McCrudden

Richard McCrudden, age 76 of Little Falls, MN passed away Sunday, March 23, 2008 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior in Little Falls. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls. Richard McCrudden was born December 2, 1931 in Rochester, MN to the late William P. & Beatrice (Johnson) McCrudden. He attended and graduated from White Bear Lake High School with the Class of 1949. Following high school, Richard attended the University of Minnesota receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree. While at the U of M, Richard played center field for the Minnesota Gopher Baseball Team for four years. He entered the United State Air Force. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1956. Richard returned to Minnesota and was united in marriage to Deborah J. Chappell on August 24, 1957 in White Bear Lake, MN. Richard & Debbie moved to Red Wing, MN where he worked as a salesman for Red Wing Marine for two years. The couple moved back to White Bear Lake, MN and Richard returned to McAllister College where he received his teaching degree. Richard & Debbie moved to Little Falls, MN. He taught school for 27 years in the Upsala School District retiring in 1987. While teaching, Richard coached baseball in Upsala for 25 years, and he was also instrumental in starting the first girl's basketball program in Upsala. He was a member of the Episcopal Church of Our Savior in Little Falls. Richard is survived by his wife, Debbie; daughters & sons, Vicki Hochstatter & husband, Duane, of Fargo, ND, Nancy McCrudden-Carlson & husband, John, of Little Falls, MN, Thomas McCrudden of St. Paul, MN & Peter McCrudden of Little Falls and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marilyn Thorson.