Monday, March 1, 2010

Daniel Wayne Crabtree, MD Dec.30, 1946--Feb. 28, 2010

Last night, February 28, 2010, my beloved was called into the arms of Jesus as I and my daughters sang songs of praise to our Lord.
Our grief is great, but we do not grieve as those who have no hope.
We are confident beyond all doubt that we will be reunited one day
and again praise our Lord together.
Dan's and our prayer is that you too will choose to be devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
----Linda

Obituary Of Daniel Wayne Crabtree

Norfolk, Virginia. Daniel Wayne Crabtree, MD, 63, left this life February 28, 2010, after a two year bout with malignant melanoma, to enter Eternal Life in the presence of his Lord Jesus Christ. He is survived by his father, John B. Crabtree of Muskegon, MI; his loving wife of 41 years, Linda Newitt Crabtree; three daughters and their husbands, Kimberly/Alan Wilson, Elizabeth/Matthew Hunter, Christianne/David Page; and grandchildren Morgan, Madison, Matthew and Mark Wilson, Asher and Zephan Hunter, Evelyn and Adelaide Page. He is also survived by his siblings Dennis, Donald, James, Paul, and Debra Runyon. He is predeceased by his mother, Faith Crabtree.

Dr. Dan's medical career was long and varied. His training began as a chemistry major at Wheaton College, '69; medical school at Wayne State Univ. '73; and residency training in Family Medicine at San Bernardino County Hospital, '76. He practiced medicine in Muskegon, MI 1976-1986 where he started the group practice now known as Harborwood Family Medicine and served as Chief of Staff at Hackle Hospital 1984-1988. He then taught in academic medicine at both ORU/City of Faith, Tulsa, OK and ECU, Greenville, NC. Joining Sentara in 1990, he served in various administrative positions as well as a practicing physician. Dan concluded his career as founder and Medical Director of Personalized Family Medicine.

His goal as a physician was to treat the whole person with knowledge, grace and truth. He was known by his patients, as well as his colleagues, for his pursuit of excellence in medicine and in all areas of life. As an elder at Tabernacle Church of Norfolk, VA he sought to serve Jesus Christ by teaching the Bible, leading Care Groups and advising the leadership. During his convalescence, he wrote on his inspiring blog site, dancrabtree.blogspot.com, of his challenge to fulfill the Bible verse "Each day I am given, I shall not die, but live and tell of the works of the Lord" Psalm 118:17.

His family is very grateful for their heritage of love and faith.

Visitation with the family will be 5-9 PM, Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5792 Greenwich Rd., Virginia Beach, Virginia. A memorial service will be held 7PM Thursday, March 4 at Tabernacle Church of Norfolk, 7000 Granby St., Norfolk, VA. A private burial will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Norfolk


Memorial gifts can be made in the name of Daniel W. Crabtree, MD to Christian Doctors Association, PO Box 7500, Bristol TN, 37621-7500. The gifts will be used to support the local student chapter of CMA.

20 comments:

  1. Dear Aunt Linda, Kim, Beth and Christianne...and family,

    I'm picturing the beauty of my Uncle's welcome into Heaven as the sounds of his favorite girls praise and worship our King.

    We are praying for all of you --knowing that your faith is strong and that you will find comfort in the loving arms of Jesus.

    We love you all, Niece Carrie and Family

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  2. Brian and Mary McKeeMarch 1, 2010 at 7:52 PM

    Linda and family,
    Victory in Jesus! We are praying for you and will be standing in the gap for you. I wanted to let the staff of my buildings know about Dan, and had to word it for a public school setting: http://ppsblogs.net/brianmckee/2010/03/01/ponderings-about-the-gifts-of-blogging-and-technology/ . We send our love,
    Brian and Mary and the girls

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  3. Linda and family,
    It was a privilege and honor to have been Dan's patient and to have known him. He was the most caring, devoted physician that a person could have had and we grieve with you on your loss.

    Marge Schechner

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  4. Marge and Steve SchechnerMarch 1, 2010 at 8:09 PM

    Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to you and your family, Linda. Dan was a very special man and a talented and caring physician. He will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved him.

    Dr. Steve and Marge Schechner

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  5. The passing of Dr. Crabtree has made me very sad. I am so sorry for your loss. I feel lucky that I had the privilege of being a patient of Dr. Crabtree's. He was a wonderful Doctor. Dr. Crabtree always gave me all the time I needed and did everything he could to help me. I will never forget him and I am thankful that I knew him.

    Darlene Jones
    DarJones37@aol.com

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  6. I will miss reading his great insight into God's Word. He taught us how to live through great trial and bring glory to God.

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  7. May God rain down on you his comfort and many blessings. May we do anything to help you? This blog has been such a blessing for many. I believe God is using it in a powerful way. Much love and prayers, Roy and Lilia Miller

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  8. I was a patient of Dr. Crabtree when he left Providence Road Family Practice.
    What a wonderful gift he was to all of us, both in his Medical Practice and as a presence of spiritual strength and courage as we followed along as he shared his journey online.
    God Bless your family and thank you for sharing him with us.

    Still listening to the quiet still voice.

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  9. I am so sorry to hear this. I liked him a lot. I'm glad I got a chance to talk with him at the mall the other day.

    He used to talk with me at Tab every Sunday, back when I worked in the library with Mrs. Page. He will be missed by me and many other people. He was -- he IS -- a fine man.

    I will keep y'all in my prayers.

    Come quickly Lord Jesus. :_(

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  10. Linda:
    Our prayers are with you and your family. I have fond memories of the Bible studies we had at your home when you were in Muskegon.
    In Christ's love,
    Clif and Ann Martin

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  11. My heart is saddened tonight as I read the post! He was an inspiration to me,even though I didn't know him. My prayers are with your wonderful and loving family! Dr. Dan will suffer no more! He was an amazing man and just be blessed you had him in your lives for as long as it was! Some people live a lifetime and never know their Father! Praying for all!

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  12. Linda,

    The passing of Dan has left our entire family sad. The blog youbtwo have run through this ordeal will help more people than you bwill ever know. Dan was a true christian leader and through his writings has brought many of us closer to Jesus.

    Andy & Heidi Morris
    former members of Tabb Church

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  13. I was not a personal friend of Dr. Dan's, but I was fortunate enough to hear him speak at Tab Church two years ago when he spoke of his cancer. Through his blog I learned of his wonderful compassion and his never-ending love for his family and his Lord. I feel as though I have lost a long-time friend. May peace be with his wife and family, and rest assured that you will one day meet again.

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  14. Dear Linda and all your sweet family,

    My heart went out to all of you when I read your post this evening. I am greatly saddened. Dr. Dan's blog has helped me so much in "dealing with" my husband's melanoma. He shared so much of his wisdom...both spiritual...and medical...and just life wisdom! God be with all you in your sorrow...may you feel that He is holding you in the palm of his hand. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

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  15. Dear Linda, lovely daughters and famiies,
    Jim & I wish you the Lord's peace and strength at this time of loss and also joy.
    You and Dan were our friends and mentors. You impacted our lives greatly, both spiritually and medicaly.
    Our Sunday School class is praying for you all and celebrating Dan's home going, as well.
    With Love and prayers,
    In Christ Jesus,
    Ginna & Jim Hromyak

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  16. Dear Linda - How I loved him. From the moment he was diagnosed with this terminal illness, I never saw fear in his eyes. He was a man of extreme valor and courage, inspring all of rely on God's strength to confront and defeat the demons that face us. His life brought glory to our Savior, which I know was his supreme goal.

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  17. Linda, We sorrow with you and wish we could be there tonight for the visitation and tomorrow's service. Please know that we are thinking of you and the girls and asking the God whom you and Dan love to sustain you now and in the days ahead. We will be in touch when you are able.
    Love, Dick and Vicki

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  18. Linda and Family:

    Dr. Dan cared for my grandmother during the last years of her life. He was a blessing to her and to my family. He was a wonderful physician and human being. No amount of time was too great for him to spend with her, no question too small for him to address.

    I grieve with you on your loss.

    May God be with you during this time.

    Emma Inman

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  19. Interesting article, added his blog to Favorites

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