Memorial Endowments

After much thought and working out details we have two chosen two memorial endowments in Doug's name.  It was not an easy task as he was so talented in so many facets of his life and subsequently made very strong connections in so many places.  Not only did we want to ensure the memorials were linked to Doug's life and love of it, but we also wanted to ensure they would help carry on a legacy for the boys.  Doug had already devised so many plans for his future with Brogan and Ethan and each of these memorials contributes to keeping him present in their lives as well as the lives of so many others.

Green Mountain Club, Long Trail Shelter Maintenance Endowment:

As many know between Doug's work as a Landscape Architect and his personal passion for hiking and the outdoors, the mountains always provided a certain peace and solace for Doug.  While a student at the University of Vermont from 1993 to 1997, Doug and his friends enjoyed many adventures on the Long Trail.  In October of 1997, not long after graduating, Doug solo hiked the 273 mile length of the Long Trail in 18 days.  Even though he did not live in Vermont for the following 10 years he made many trips back here and almost always made time to hike some part of the trail.  When Doug and I settled in Vermont in 2007, we choose a home in Hinesburg where we look out across a forested landscape crowned by Camel's Hump.  Brogan's room takes in a great view of the mountain and he had the fortune to be able to hike it a few times with Doug when he was small enough to fit into the kid carrier.

The Long Trail and its shelters are maintained by the Green Mountain Club, a 101 year old organization dedicated to "making the Vermont mountain play a larger part in the life of the people."  We are working towards endowing the life maintenance of a shelter near Camels Hump in Doug's name.  Shelters are either primitive 3 walled lean-tos or small cabins that can offer a roof to backpackers without tents.  The shelter will have a plaque to honor Doug's memory and will be installed on an interior wall.  The shelter will serve as a place for friends and family of Doug to hike into and gather to remember him.  The family has asked Keith Wagner and Jeff Hodgson, Doug's former employer who were also mentors and friends, to design the special memorial plaque.  Even though Doug is no longer with us, he will continue to push many towards adventure and physical pursuits.

Checks made out to the Green Mountain Club can be mailed to:
Green Mountain Club
4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road
Waterbury Center, VT  05677
Please be sure to indicate the donation is in memory of Doug Crowell.


Alternatively, click here to donate online with a credit card.  Please be sure to click the box signifying, "Yes, this is a memorial gift."  Checking the box will bring up several fields including one for the honoree's name: Douglas Crowell.

Doug Crowell Memorial Scholarship Fund, Xavier High School:


Doug attended Xavier High School, a Catholic Preparatory High School in Middletown, Connecticut from 1989 to 1993.  Doug embraced many opportunities presented to him at Xavier that would not have otherwise been available to him.  He believed that his education there laid a very solid foundation for his future.  Xavier is where Doug first started running competitively and developed that passion that stayed with him throughout his life.  He made many good friends while at Xavier that he continued lifelong friendships with.  Doug and I met while he was at Xavier and I was a student at the sister school, Mercy.  Xavier pushed him to be  a better student than he may have thought he was when he first started there.  He had many teachers along with his running coach that encouraged him recognize even more of his potential and talents.  Doug gained a solid foundation at Xavier that later helped him in obtaining his Bachelors at UVM and Master's at Rhode Island School of Design.

With the Endowed Scholarship Fund, Xavier's mark of Doug's life will live on by helping to support a Freshman through Senior with tuition.  The family has worked with the school to determine the criteria that will be used in selecting the recipient of the scholarship on an annual basis by drawing on some of Doug's best attributes that made him such  dynamic student himself.  Annually the family will be invited to the ceremony where the Scholarship will be presented in Doug's name to the student for that year.  The boys will get to be a part of this and see Doug's name and legacy live on while helping other students similar to Doug.

Checks made out to Xavier High School can be mailed to:
Xavier High School Advancement Office
181 Randolph Road
Middletown, CT  06457
Please be sure to indicate that the donation is in memory of Douglas Crowell


Alternatively, click here to donate online with a credit card.  Please be sure to write "In memory of Douglas Crowell," in the field for notes or comments.


We know that Doug touched many peoples lives and had a significant impact on many.  Nothing will ever be able to replace his indomitable spirit, but to help his name live on in meaningful memorials that help to capture some of who he was, gives us all something to remember.

Thank you all for your thoughtful remembrance of Doug's life.