Barbara Ann Crouch, 75, previously of Oak Brook, a former executive with Chicago Conveyor Corp. in Addison, died Friday, March 26, in her home in Bonita Springs, Fla., after a long battle with colon cancer. Born in Bridgeport, Conn., Mrs. Crouch grew up in Trumbull. She received a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University in 1949 and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She also studied law at DePaul University. Mrs. Crouch worked as a millinery buyer for Hahne & Co. in Newark, N.J., before becoming office manager for Employers Mutual of Wausau Insurance in River Forest. “During a time when many women weren’t even working, she was out building a career,” said her daughter, Lori. In 1951, Mrs. Crouch married Claybourne Addison “Bud” Crouch, her husband of 52 years and the former president and owner of Chicago Conveyor Corp. For many years, Mrs. Crouch worked alongside her husband, serving as the company’s secretary and treasurer. “She was the company’s chief accountant and was involved in all the financial decision-making,” her daughter said. “She also handled all the employee benefits and kept the day-to-day operation running smoothly.” Mrs. Crouch was active in the community and was instrumental in the early development of Oak Brook through her involvement in the York Woods Community Association. She also was a board member of George Williams College in Downers Grove. Mrs. Crouch and her husband were members of the Hinsdale Golf Club in Clarendon Hills for more than 25 years. “She lived a full and happy life and, as she would always say, smelled a lot of roses,” her daughter said. Other survivors include a brother, Charles J. Kurtz Jr., and a granddaughter. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Christ Church of Oak Brook, York Road and 31st Street, Oak Brook.
