Robert Willard CROUSS

(b. 31 May 1924 , Agawam, Massachusetts, USA d. 11 September 1984 , Placerville, California, USA )

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CROUSS Family Tree – Connecting the Past to the Present!

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Robert Willard CROUSS was born 31 May 1924 in Agawam, Massachusetts, USA

Robert Willard CROUSS was the child of Raymond Scott CROUSS and Elizabeth FISHER and the grandchild of: (paternal) Herman August CROUSS and Caroline "Carrie" Louise SCOTT (maternal) Robert FISHER and Margaret ROBERTSON

Spouse(s)/Partner(s) and Child(ren):

Robert Willard married Elaine Edna BOYER 29 May 1948 in West Springfield, Massachusetts, USA . Elaine Edna BOYER was born 13 July 1927 in Queens, New York, USA. Elaine Edna died 15 September 2013 in Marietta, Cobb, Georgia, USA.

Robert Willard married (2) Beverly May DINNIE 21 March 1952 in San Mateo, California, USA . The couple had (at least) 3 children.
Beverly May DINNIE was born abt. 1932 in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA (Indian Orchard).

Robert Willard married (3) Barbara Sue KNOUSE March 1967 in Carson City, Nevada, USA . The couple had (at least) 2 children.
Barbara Sue KNOUSE was born 15 September 1943 in Diamond Springs, California, USA. Barbara Sue died 27 June 1974 in Placerville, California, USA (Hangtown). Barbara Sue was the child of Jesse Cleveland KNOUSE and Dorothy Alice BUTLER.

Robert Willard married (4) Donzola Louise MASTERS 30 June 1979 in Carson City, Nevada, USA . Donzola Louise MASTERS was born 2 April 1922 Donzola Louise died 2 November 2008

Robert Willard CROUSS died 11 September 1984 in Placerville, California, USA .

Mount Vernon Memorial Park, Fair Oaks, California

NOTE: The cemetery has no record of his burial

He is not buried in the cemetery indicated by his obit.

Need to check with place where funeral was held to see where remains went.

Memory Chapel
675 Bee Street
Placerville, CA

Details of the family tree of Robert appear below.

A Glimpse into the Everyday Life of the Average American Man in the Mid-1900s

Are you related to Robert Willard CROUSS? If so, Forever Cousins: Eight Generations of the Theinert Family is a family history book about YOUR family!

What was our family talking about in 1900? Probably this! Find out why.
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Family and Children of Robert Willard CROUSS

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Robert Willard CROUSS married

Elaine Edna BOYER-- Date: 29 May 1948 Place: West Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
ancestry.com

Name: Robert Willard Crouss
Marriage Year: 1948
Marriage Place: West Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
Volume Number: 122
Page Number: 163
Index Volume Number: 143
Reference Number: F63.M36 v.143

Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Marriage Index, 1901-1955 and 1966-1970 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.
Original data: Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. Massachusetts Vital Records Index to Marriages [1916–1970]. Volumes 76–166, 192– 207. Facsimile edition. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts.

Children of Robert Willard CROUSS and Elaine Edna BOYER:

Robert Willard CROUSS married

Beverly May DINNIE-- Date: 21 March 1952 Place: San Mateo, California, USA
ancestry.com

Name: Robert W Crouss
Gender: Male
Estimated birth year: abt 1925
Age: 27
Marriage Date: 21 Mar 1952
Marriage Place: San Mateo, California, USA
Spouse: Beverly M Dinnie
Spouse Age: 19

Ancestry.com. California, Marriage Index, 1949-1959 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.
Original data: California Department of Health and Welfare. California Vital Records—Vitalsearch (www.vitalsearch-worldwide.com). The Vitalsearch Company Worldwide, Inc., Pleasanton, California.

Local Home is Wedding Scene

The James A. Yankee home on West Bellevue avenue was locale for a wedding Friday night when Robert Crouss, a friend of the localities, changed Beverly Dinnie's name. The newlyweds both hail from Springfield, Mass., and the bride flew out last week just a few days before her marriage to the young man, who is now employed at United Airlines.

Mrs. Yankee was matron of honor for the 8 p.m. ceremony, and Mr. Yankee gave the bride in marriage. Other attendants included Mrs. Edward Cooper, bridesmaid; Albert Furez, best man, and Jimmie and Judy Cooper, ring bearer and flower girl.

The Rev. Ernest W. Tremaine of Burlingame officiated.

For the simple ceremony the bride chose a tailored-style frock of white organza in ballerina length. After honeymooning in Carmel, the newlyweds will make their home in this city.

The Times
San Mateo, California
March 24, 1952

Children of Robert Willard CROUSS and Beverly May DINNIE:

Living (b., San Mateo County, California d. , )

Living (b., El Dorado County, California d. , )

Living (b., Placerville, California, USA (Hangtown) d. , )

Robert Willard CROUSS married

Barbara Sue KNOUSE-- Date: March 1967 Place: Carson City, Nevada, USA
ancestry.com

Barbara Sue KNOUSE was the child of Jesse Cleveland KNOUSE and Dorothy Alice BUTLER

Thomas-Crouss pair marries in Carson City

Mr and Mrs Jess C Knouse of Placerville have announced the recent marriage of their daughter, Barbara S. Thomas, to Robert W. Crouss. The marriage took place earlier this month in Carson City, Nevada.

The bride's sister, Mrs. James Sea of Rio Vista, was the matron of honor: best man duties were performed by Richard Kerbel of Placerville, a friend of the bridegroom.

The newlyweds honeymooned at Lake Tahoe before returning to Placerville, where she is a secretary for Placer Finance corporation and he is employed at the Hangman's Tree.

NEWSPAPER: The Mountain Democrat
PUBLICATION: 23 Mar 1967 - Placerville, California

Children of Robert Willard CROUSS and Barbara Sue KNOUSE:

Living (b., Placerville, California, USA (Hangtown) d. , )

Living (b., d. , )

Robert Willard CROUSS married

Donzola Louise MASTERS-- Date: 30 June 1979 Place: Carson City, Nevada, USA
ancestry.com

Name: Robert Willard Crouss
Gender: Male
Residence State: California
Spouse: Donzola Louise Masters
Spouse residence state: California
Marriage Date: 30 Jun 1979
Marriage City: Carson City
Officiant Type: Civil celebrant
Recorded Date: 6 Jul 1979
Recorded City: Carson City
Book: 91-
Page: 215
Instrument number: 33150

Ancestry.com. Nevada, Marriage Index, 1956-2005 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007.

Children of Robert Willard CROUSS and Donzola Louise MASTERS:

Share the History, Life Events, and Stories of Robert Willard CROUSS
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Discovering the Ancestry of Robert Willard CROUSS: Events, Photos & Historical Records

1924 Birth
Name: Robert Willard Crouss
Birth Date: 1924
Birth Place: Agawam, Massachusetts, USA
Volume Number: 474
Page Number: 34
Index Volume Number: Index
Reference Number: F63.M362 Index

Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Birth Index, 1901-1960 and 1967-1970 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.
Original data: Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. Massachusetts Vital Records Index to Births [1916–1970]. Volumes 92–160, 162, 168, 175, 212– 213. Facsimile edition. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts.
ancestry.com

1927 - The aerosol can is invented (Erik Rotheim, Norway)

1927 - April 7 – Bell Telephone Co. transmits an image of Herbert Hoover (then the Secretary of Commerce), which becomes the first successful long distance demonstration of television

1928 - Sliced bread (bread slicing machine) is invented by Otto Frederick Rohwedder (United States)

1929 - Herbert Hoover becomes President of the United States

1929 - October 29 - Black Tuesday - Stock market crash - The Great Depression Begins - It lasted until 1941 (WW2)

1930 - Scotch tape is invented (Richard Drew (3M), United States)

1930 Agawam, Hampden, Massachusetts
name: Robert W Crouss
event: Census
event date: 1930
event place: Agawam, Hampden, Massachusetts
gender: Male
age: 6
marital status: Single
race: White
birthplace: Massachusetts
estimated birth year: 1924
immigration year:
relationship to head of household: Son
father's birthplace: Massachusetts
mother's birthplace: New Hampshire
enumeration district number: 97
family number: 423
sheet number and letter: 20B
line number: 90
nara publication: T626, roll 905
film number: 2340640
digital folder number: 4607002
image number: 00048
Household Gender Age
parent Raymond S Crouss M 38
parent Elizabeth S Crouss F 31
Herman F Crouss M 13
Roland S Crouss M 10
Edward W Crouss M 9
Leslie N Crouss M 7
Robert W Crouss M 6
Raymond G Crouss M 2
Bernadette Doray F 18

1930 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

In 1930, on February 18, Pluto was discovered by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, marking a significant milestone in the study of our solar system.

1931 - The paper towel is invented (Arthur Scott, United States)

1931 - March 3 – The Star-Spangled Banner is adopted as the United States National anthem.

1933 - Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes President of the United States

1933 - December 5 – The 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution is passed, repealing Prohibition

1934 - The metal beverage can is invented (American Can Co., United States)

1935 - The snowmobile was invented by Joseph Bombardier (Quebec, Canada)

1935 - August 14 – United States President Franklin Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act into law

1938 - The ballpoint pen is invented (Lazlo Biro, Hungary)

1938-1944 - Sunscreen is invented (Franz Greiter, Switzerland and Benjamin Green, United States)

1938 - October 27 - Du Pont announces a name for its new synthetic yarn: nylon.

1940 Agawam, Hampden, Massachusetts
Name: Robert Crouss
Age: 16
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1924
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Massachusetts
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1940: Agawam, Hampden, Massachusetts
Street: Elm Street
House Number: 122
Inferred Residence in 1935: Agawam, Hampden, Massachusetts
Residence in 1935: Same Place
Sheet Number: 7B
Household Members:
Name Age
Elizabeth Crouss 42
Roland Crouss 20
Edward Crouss 19
Leslie Crouss 17
Robert Crouss 16
Raymond Crouss 12
1940 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

1940 - April - 1st electron microscope demonstrated (RCA), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

1941 - December 8 - (the day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor) United States declares war on Japan (WW2)

1942 Navy Enlistment
Name: Robert Crouss
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 31 May 1924
Death Date: 11 Sep 1984
SSN: 023122786
Branch 1: NAVY
Enlistment Date 1: 15 Dec 1942
Release Date 1: 18 Jan 1946

Ancestry.com. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
Original data: Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) Death File. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
ancestry.com

Springfield, Massachusetts, City Directory, 1943
Name: Robert W Crouss
Residence Year: 1943
Street Address: 33 Myrtle
Residence Place: Springfield, Massachusetts
Occupation: In US Navy
Publication Title: Springfield, Massachusetts, City Directory, 1943
ancestry.com

1944 - D-Day, which occurred on June 6, 1944, was a pivotal World War II operation where Allied forces launched a massive invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France. Known as Operation Overlord, it involved over 156,000 troops from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other Allied nations. The operation aimed to liberate Western Europe from Nazi German control. The landings marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany, leading to the eventual Allied victory in Europe.

1945 - The atomic bomb is invented (J. Robert Oppenheimer, et al., United States)

The microwave oven was invented accidentally in 1945 by Percy Spencer, a Raytheon engineer. While testing a magnetron, he noticed microwaves melted a candy bar in his pocket. Experimenting further, he discovered microwaves could cook food quickly. Raytheon patented the process, and by 1947, they built the first commercial microwave oven, called the 'Radarange.' Initially used in commercial settings, microwaves becomes affordable for home use by the 1960s and 1970s, revolutionizing cooking.

1945 - Harry S. Truman becomes President of the United States

1945 - On September 2, 1945, World War II officially ended with the formal surrender of Japan. The surrender ceremony took place aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, where Japanese officials signed the Instrument of Surrender in the presence of Allied representatives, including General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester Nimitz.

1946
Name: Robert Willard Crouss
Ship, Station or Activity: Niobrara
Ship Number or Designation: AO-72
Muster Date: 26 Jan 1946

National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland, United States; Muster Rolls of U.S. Navy Ships, Stations, and Other Naval Activities, 01/ 01/ 1939 - 01/ 01/ 1949; Record Group: 24, Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, 1798 - 2007; Series ARC ID: 594996; Series MLR Number: A1 135.
ancestry.com

1948 - Velcro is invented (George de Mestral, Switzerland)

1948 Marriage / Partner
Robert Willard CROUSS and Elaine Edna BOYER 29 May 1948, West Springfield, Massachusetts, USA

He was 24 years old.

1950 - Springfield, Massachusetts
Name: Robert W Crouse
Age: 24
Birth Date: abt 1926
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Massachusetts
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Residence Date: 1950
Home in 1950: Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA
Dwelling Number: 157
Household Members Age Relationship
Robert W Crouse 24 Head
Elaine E Crouse
22 Wife
1950 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

1950 - June 25 - Korean War begins when North Korean forces invade South Korea.

1951
West Side Wife Given Divorce

Judge Thomas H. Stapleton granted a divorce to Mrs. Elaine Edna Boyer Crouss of West Springfield against Robert W. Crouss of Springfield in Probate Court yesterday. She charged cruel and abusive treatment. Mrs. Crouss won custody of a minor child and $18 a week for tis support and her own, provision being made for the father to see the child at reasonable times. The couple was married in West Springfield, May 29, 1948. Ralph P. Walsh was attorney for the libellant; Patrick E. Granfield appearing for the libelee.

June 20, 1951
Springfield Union
Springfield, Massachusetts

Searching For Your Ancestors in Historic Newspapers

Springfield, Massachusetts, City Directory, 1951
Name: Robert W Crouss
Gender: M (Male)
Residence Year: 1951
Street Address: 20 Birch Park cir
Residence Place: Springfield, Massachusetts
Occupation: Apprentice Plumber
Spouse:
Elaine E Crouss
Publication Title: Springfield, Massachusetts, City Directory, 1951
ancestry.com

1952 Marriage / Partner
Robert Willard CROUSS and Beverly May DINNIE 21 March 1952, San Mateo, California, USA

He was 27 years old.

1953 - Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes President of the United States

1953 - On July 27, 1953, the Korean War ended with the signing of an armistice agreement at Panmunjom. This ceasefire halted the conflict between North Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union, and South Korea, backed by United Nations forces primarily from the United States. The agreement established the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) near the 38th parallel, effectively maintaining the pre-war boundary and creating a buffer zone between the two Koreas.

1954
Name: Robt W Crouss
Gender: M (Male)
Residence Year: 1954
Street Address: 743 Ramona
Residence Place: San Jose, California
Occupation: Mech
Spouse:
Beverly Crouss
Publication Title: Polk's San Jose City and Surburban (Santa Clara County, Calif.) Directory Including Santa Clara, Los Gatos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Campbell, Cupertino, and Saratoga
ancestry.com

1961 - John F. Kennedy becomes President of the United States

1961 - Vietnam War officially begins with 900 military advisors landing in Saigon.

1962 - The Cuban Missile Crisis was a tense 13-day standoff in October 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union over the installation of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the U.S. coast. The crisis is considered the closest the Cold War came to escalating into a full-scale nuclear war. It began when American spy planes discovered the missiles, leading to a U.S. naval blockade of Cuba and intense negotiations. The crisis ended when Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for the U.S. promising not to invade Cuba and secretly agreeing to remove American missiles from Turkey.

1963 - I Have a Dream Speech - Martin Luther King's Address at March on Washington August 28, 1963.

In 1963, on November 22, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, while riding in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza. The assassination shocked the nation and the world, leading to widespread mourning and a period of intense national introspection. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States shortly after Kennedy's death. The assassination sparked numerous conspiracy theories and investigations, with the Warren Commission ultimately concluding that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination. Kennedy's death had a profound impact on American politics and society, marking the end of an era often referred to as 'Camelot.'

1965 Divorce
CROUSS - Robert W vs Beverly M., interloctury, in Placerville, Nov. 9.

NEWSPAPER: The Mountain Democrat
PUBLICATION: 18 Nov 1965 - Placerville, California

ancestry.com

1967 Marriage / Partner
Robert Willard CROUSS and Barbara Sue KNOUSE March 1967, Carson City, Nevada, USA

He was 42 years old.

1968 - The ATM is invented (Don Wetzel, United States)

1969 - Richard M. Nixon becomes President of the United States

1969 - July 20 - Apollo 11 - Man lands on the moon

1971 Divorce
California, Divorce Index, 1966-1984
name: Barbara S Knouse
event: Divorce
event date: Jul 1971
event place: El Dorado, California
spouse: Robert W Crouss
familysearch.org (Mormon Genealogy Records)
Unofficial Guide to FamilySearch.org: How to Find Your Family History on the World's Largest Free Genealogy Website

June 17, 1972 – August 9, 1974 - Watergate Scandal began with the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., in 1972. Members of President Richard Nixon's administration attempted to cover up their involvement. The scandal led to the discovery of multiple abuses of power by the Nixon administration, the resignation of President Nixon in 1974, and the indictment of several administration officials.

1973 - January 22 - Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 and Doe v. Bolton, 410 U.S. 179: The U.S. Supreme Court declares that the Constitution protects women’s right to terminate an early pregnancy, thus making abortion legal in the U.S.

1973 - March 29 - The last United States soldier leaves Vietnam

The cell phone was invented by Martin Cooper of Motorola. On April 3, 1973, he made the first handheld mobile phone call with the Motorola DynaTAC. This device weighed 2.5 pounds and was 10 inches long, offering 30 minutes of talk time and requiring 10 hours to charge. The first commercial cell phone was released in 1983, revolutionizing communication and leading to the modern smartphones we use today.

1974 Death of Spouse/Partner
Barbara Sue KNOUSE died 27 June 1974, Placerville, California, USA (Hangtown)

1974 - Gerald R. Ford becomes President of the United States after the resignation of Richard Nixon.

1977 - Jimmy Carter becomes President of the United States

1979 Marriage / Partner
Robert Willard CROUSS and Donzola Louise MASTERS 30 June 1979, Carson City, Nevada, USA

He was 55 years old.

The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington State occurred on May 18, triggered by a 5.1 magnitude earthquake. It caused the largest landslide in recorded history, followed by a massive lateral blast. The eruption killed 57 people, destroyed 250 homes, and spread ash across the U.S.

1981 - Ronald Reagan becomes President of the United States

1981 - June 5 - First reported case of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

1982 - The camcorder is invented (Sony Corp., Japan)

1983 - The laptop computer is invented (Radio Shack Corp., United States)

1984 Death
First Name: Robert
Middle Name: Willard
Last Name: Crouss
Gender: Male
Birth Date: May 31, 1924
Death Date: Sep 11, 1984
Age: 60
Birth Location: Massachusetts
Death Location: Placer, CA
Record Type: Death Record
Collection: California Death Index

Source Information
Source: California Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics
Years: 1940 to 1997
Description: The California Death Index was recorded by the California Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics. It contains over 9 million records, including these fields (when available): name, gender, death date, death location, birth date, birth location, mother's maiden name, and father's last name.
Address: P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410

U.S. Social Security Death Index
first name: Robert
middle name:
last name: Crouss
name suffix:
birth date: 31 May 1924
social security number: 023-12-2786
place of issuance: Massachusetts
last residence: El Dorado,...Read MORE...

Obituary
Robert W. Crouss

Robert Willard Crouss of Diamond Springs died Sept. 11 at Auburn hospital at the age of 60. He was a native of Massachusetts. He had been a cook for eight years at Poor Reds and was a member of E. Clampus Vitus, Chapter 49, Placerville.

Mr. Crouss is survived by his wife, Louise Crouss of Diamond Springs; stepson Charles Wiglesworth of Placerville; stepdaughter Judy Cheek of Citrus Heights; and two grandchildren.

Private family services were held at Memory Chapel. Interment was in Mount Vernon Memorial Park, Fair Oaks.

Mountain Democrat
Placerville, California
Sep 14, 1984

Added: 11/14/2009 2:04:21 PM - Updated: 3/20/2025 11:35:01 AM