Remembering Took

In the Spring of 1972 as a 2L I interviewed one Friday with Reavis Pogue for a summer clerkship. My last stop was with Took Crowell, and at 3:30 or so, after we spoke he said:"Well there's no question you will work here this summer, so let's celebrate." He walked over to a cabinet and retrieved a bottle of scotch and two glasses, ala "Madmen." Needless to say, this is the first and only time this ever happened, and flustered, I declined. Took would kid me during that summer about declining the drink and I came to have great affection for him. Some 30 years later in 1999, I had a deposition at Crowell & Moring and poked my head into his office and started to say: "You probably don't remember me, but...." He cut me of and rejoined: "Of course I do" and we started up talking about that summer as though it was recent history. What a truly remarkable, kind and generous man.

I have many fond memories of Mr. Crowell. My first was right after I started working for C&M 30 years ago. We had a party at the Mayflower and when I got there, he was at the door in a tucks with a pink terrycloth head band on to greet the people. That was only the second time I had seen him.

When I started with C&M, I worked in the Word Processing Center. We had a dutch door and he would come to the door and bang down on it and open and close the door. You could always hear him coming down the hallway as his voice would rise.

I also worked in the IT Department answering phones. The training room was right down the hall from me. He came in one morning and the door was shut to the training room and the sign said "in use". That didn't mean a thing to him. He beat on the door and walked in right in the middle of a training class of new employees who had no idea who he was. He said hello and wanted to know what was going on. She told him that she was teaching a class. He said okay and walked out of the class and slammed the door. Of course she had to explain to the class who that was and that he always acted this way.

I will miss him very much.

"The Forgotten Employee"

In late December 1984, Mike Newman and I were toiling away in our Dickensian law clerk offices on the Ninth Floor at 1100 Connecticut Avenue when Miss Hemingway called to say that "Mr. Crowell would like to see the two of you in his office at your convenience, please." It was just days before Christmas and the office was mostly empty save for Took and the law clerks milking every hour out of the week. We grabbed our legal pads and pens and headed to the Eleventh Floor to receive our assignment. When we arrived Meg ushered us in and we sat in the two chairs before the desk. As Took hung up the phone, he glowered at us and said "I just got off the phone with the Judge Advocate General"s school in Charlottesville. As you may know, I am the only lawyer from private practice who is invited to speak each year at the JAG school, and they called to ask me what the title of my presentation would be because they are printing the syllabus for the spring semester. I told them the title of my speech would be 'The Forgotten Employee.'" He paused, and Mike and I dutifully scrawled the title on our pads. When he was satisfied we were done, Took glowered at us and said ""Your job now is to figure out what the HELL I was thinking when I told them that!"

Took did have a few ideas as to what he meant. His main theme was that with all of the emerging procurement reforms of the day, Congress, DOD, DOJ, Contractors -- the whole enforcement regime -- were overlooking the fact that regular, day-to-day workers were being saddled with new laws, regulations, certifications and obligations that no one really understood, but nevertheless, some "Forgotten Employee" would be stuck with the duty to comply. Typical Took, seeing the practical problems in the swirl of politics, law, regulation, and so forth.

Mike and I wrote the speech, giving three examples (of course) of new compliance obligations for the Forgotten Employee. The speech was a big hit and Took and others gave it many times afterward, sometimes altering it to fit the context in which it was presented. I heard that it even got turned into "The Forgotten Contracting Officer" and the timeless classic, "The Forgotten Accountant."

We will all miss Took's great insight, empathy, leadership, and of course humor -- all tools he wielded with great effect. But I will always remember Took as a great mentor from whom I learned so much. We all realize from time to time that we "sound like" our parents -- and I find that sometimes I "sound like Took." I am proud to have had the privilege to work with him and I am proud to carry on his legacy as best I can.

One of my distinct memories of Mr. Crowell was the day he came by my office and asked for a bottle of water as he was thirsty. Fortunately, I kept several bottles and I gave him one. He thanked me and left.

Two weeks later, Mr. Crowell came back and asked for another bottle of water. Since that second time, I made sure that I always kept water in my office...just in case.

Mr. Crowell also left a lasting impression on my daughter, Sovereignty, when she attended the 2009 Take Your Sons/Daughters to Work. She said that he was very nice and made them laugh with his jokes.

I can truly say that Mr. Eldon "Took" Crowell was one of the most respected and loved men that I have known.

As I reminisce over the years it occurred to me what a good and kind person Took was not only to me but everyone in the firm. Also, he was an excellent leader that I am sure most of us (especially the “old folks”) can agree on. I can recall on numerous occasions when I could hear him boom out “Jackson what are you doing and how come you’re not working!!!!!” There were times when I tried to hide when I heard him approaching but after awhile I began to enjoy those very special moments with him.

Took gave more than he got and his unselfish love led to our becoming the best law firm on this planet. I cannot imagine not being able to see him again but I do know that I have numerous memories to keep him fresh in my mind. You have lived an exemplary life with little or nothing left undone. He is and will be missed around the halls in the firm and at all our upcoming celebrations but his memory will stay fresh in our hearts and minds. Rest well my friend you certainly have earned it. With the greatest affection, Johnnie

There were several times throughout the two years I was with the firm that Mr. Crowell stopped by the Washington office. But each time he did, the office felt more alive. There was just something palpable about his visits. He had a flair for the dramatic but he delivered a positive message with each and every story he shared. Mr. Crowell's leadership, energy and zest for life was inspiring. I believe Mr. Crowell personified the philosophy of making the world a better place. God bless you Mr. Crowell and the friends, family and community who are all the richer for having you in their lives!

--Susan Carlin (formerly Crowell & Moring's Faciliites Manager)

I have many fond memories of Mr. Crowell but the most recent one was during one of the Firm's parties.

Mr. Crowell stopped by the table where several C&M employees were sitting. He stated he didn't want to sit with the "snooty" people. He asked if he could sit at our table to eat in which all replied "Of course, Mr. Crowell". As we enjoyed our lunch with "The Mr. Crowell, of Crowell & Moring LLP", he joked about the food and asked how we were all doing. He showed even though we were support staff, he had a genuine concern for us. He graciously excused himself from the table while thanking us for letting him sit with us. He could have sat with any of his fellow colleagues but instead he chose to sit with a few support staff at the Firm.

This among other events where he included not only his colleagues but his staff members, as well shows the type of kind and gentle man he was.

I will surely miss Mr. Crowell and convey my deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

My deepest sympathy to the Crowell Family, and May God Bless You and strengthen thy Heart.

My fondest memories of Mr. Crowell is that I was fired twice in the same year by Mr. Crowell. The first time was in the elevator, one summer morning when I said “ what a nice day to be on the golf course” in which he replied “ Turn in your key, you’re fired”.

The second time, he was screaming as he was walking down the hallway saying “ who in the H turned off the lights? I went to see what was going on and he asked me did I know how to turn on the lights, and I replied “ no”, and he said “you are fired, you are fired”. That Day I found out that was our own beloved Mr. Crowell.

Many Blessings Peace And Love
Robert Lee Davenport

How many of us consider ourselves mentees of Took? You didn't need a formal program to be mentored by Took: you just had to show up in the same room as him a few times a year. And agree to be yelled at.

You leave me with so many rich and wonderful memories, most of them involving raucous laughter. You leave the legal community with so many tangible results of your extraordinary legal acumen and your commitment to helping people who were in need; you were generous with many gifts of your talent and time, not to mention your treasury. You leave society with so many challenges yet to solve, and we'll miss your leadership and vision.

But since you leave behind so many people you touched, your greatest gift - your legacy really - is the "army" (as Stern would call them) of lawyers committed to living up to your example. Someday, I hope to look back and think that you might be smiling (and then yelling) at me to say: "Ya done good, kid." Allow me this one time to say: You done good, Took.

It was a January when I met you. You asked me, “What the hell is happening around here and did anyone ask my permission to do the renovation.” The expression on your face was priceless. I will miss you – your voice ringing in the halls before your appearance. I understand you had a higher calling; God wanted you for His walls. All I can do is smile. My sincere condolences are extended to the Crowell family.

Took has long been one of my heroes. Many years ago, when I was trying to start a government contracts practice in a small firm, I called him to invite him to lunch and see if he could offer me any advice. He didn't know me. He accepted my invitation, picked the restaurant, insisted on picking up the bill, and gave a struggling young lawyer lots of insights and advice, with no likelihood of reciprocal benefit.
Fred Geldon

For the 17 years that I worked at the firm, the bright spot of any day was to hear "Took" coming down he hall. The first time I ever saw him, he was crouched behind Ken Morrison pretending to shoot him with his finger gun, a few minutes later he ran into Nancy Robinette and papers went flying everywhere, all he could do was laugh!! In later years everytime I saw him he hugged me. I was so fortunate to have worked under such a great leader that truly cared for the people around him!! He will be forever a smile in my heart.

I wrote the following when Took "retired" to Counsel in 1990:

A TOAST TO TOOK CROWELL

Lordy, Lordy and bless my soul
Something’s hap’ning to our friend Crowell
And so we gather to celebrate well
Your switch from partner to of counsel.

Yet, whatever the label, you’re still the same
Our spirit and soul in this place with your name
I speak for us all, that no matter your status
You take top billing in this firm’s dramatis.

With energy and drive, good judgment and wit
Will you be here to give light switches a hit?
I wonder as well if our halls will be quiet
Your voice can be heard from here to the Hyatt.

In “three points” you tell us you’re lightening your load
Some peace and some quiet, it’s certain you’re owed
Yet somehow I think this won’t come to pass
You, E.H.C., just have too much gas.

From Connecticut Avenue to old Flint Hill
You know that you cannot sit still
In Washington, Thimbu, or new Budapest
Somehow, some way, you’ll be doing your best.

To promote all our interests at Crowell & Moring
To make our lives fun and surely less boring
To give us your guidance and by your example
Teach us that joy is the thing we should sample.

Join with us now, as we drink you this toast
Took, our dear friend, you sure are the most
And as you try to seek out your grail
Know in your heart, Chief, to you we say “hail”.


Richard L. Beizer

June 29, 1990

What a wonderful sense of humor! Took had retired by the time I arrived at C&M, but I enjoy memories of his many surprise return visits and the opportunities I had to get to know him at C&M receptions and dinners. His work hard - play hard philosophy is ingrained in our makeup.

I first knew Took when he was an associate in Sellers, Connor and Cuneo in the 1960s when Trow vomBaur and I were also starting a Washington law firm for the growing practice of government contract law. Took was my contemporary and we became friends in the newly formed Section of Public Contract Law from the Adam's rib of the Administrative Law Section of the American Bar Association in which both Ashley Sellers and Trow had been leaders. Later, for several years we were immediate neighbors and frequent companions in the apartment building at 2101 Connecticut Avenue during the early years of his new firm.

Took became a leader and a force for excellence and professionalism in the practice of law. He was one of the rare leaders of the bar who insisted that the practice of law is a profession and not a business; and it is a hallmark of his achievement in this respect that Crowell & Moring lives by this precept in its practice and pro bono work.

He accomplished much and exemplifies a fulfilling life.

Tim Coburn

I was saddened to see the news about Took. I knew him as a valuable member (and pro-bono consultant) of the Administrative Conference of the United States in the 80's where I was a staff member. He treated all of us as his equals--which of course we were not.

My fondest memory of Took was when he was the leader of a ABA-CEELI (administrative law reform) delegation to Hungary in 1990 that I had the provielge to serve on. Took liked to travel comfortably, which in this case meant wearing a pair of blue jeans that had those fashionable(?) bleached big white spots on them. The problem was that his luggage got lost en route. So while the rest of us, on both the US and Hungarian sides, were wearing suits, Took came in sporting those loud jeans--which caused a bit of a stir.

He good natruedly explained it of course, and actually it probably made him even more of a star to the Hungarians in those days. His bags didn't arrive for 3 or 4 days which meant that he was waring the same jeans every day. Finally they came, and the next day when Took came in wearing a suit, he got a standing ovation. Needless to say we all had a great time on that trip under his leadership.

He was one of a kind.

Though my time both with Took and at his firm have been extremely limited, his impact on me has been quite the opposite, as I can honestly say that Took is a huge reason why I am working at Crowell. This is a testament to his influence both on me personally and, more importantly, on this firm, which has deeply engrained in it his vibrant personality. Took managed to dominate a room and yet do it with humility, bring a smile to your face regardless of the circumstances, and get through to you the things that matter the most, usually by catching you off guard. I will miss him.

When Richard came home and told me about his first meeting with Took, I thought to myself, “I hope he gets an offer. This place will be really different.” It’s a popular saying that the culture in a firm comes from the top down, and, at Crowell & Moring, Took was the best possible person to have at the top: warm, genuine, funny, brainy and modest.

I had my own special moments with Took (his interest in everyone, including family members of firm employees, was among the greatest of his charms). One of the times I treasure most came early in Richard’s tenure at the firm. Richard had been in his job for about six months and, after meeting Took at several office functions, I decided it would be fun to invite him to a dinner party. To my surprise, he accepted. That evening, he showed up in a shiny, black Mustang with the top down. When I told him I thought his car was really cool, he beamed with delight--and then proceeded to charm all of the other dinner guests in his usual fashion.

Along with everyone else who knew him, I will miss Took. He made the world, as well as Crowell & Moring, a better place.

I have nothing but fond memories of Took and nothing but kind words about him. No one ever made me laugh so hard, not once, but almost every time I was in his presence. Seldom do you meet someone with such a big heart and amazing sense of humor, owing, of course, to his refusal to take life (and people) too seriously. I left the firm ten years ago, but I have never forgotten him or his uncanny ability to break down the most stressful of situations.

I am saddened to learn of the death of "Took" Crowell. Although our friendship began with a very tense introduction, with him complaining about the quality of our flowers, highway robbery prices, weather, and everything else. I've never came that close to escorting someone off our property! I'm glad I didn't because under the rough exterior, he was a kind and gentle man. He never complained about people, only "things". He will always be known affectionately at Springtime Garden Center as "Grumpy" I pray the streets of heaven are lined with geraniums, and they will be free to enjoy. He shouldn't complain, but he probably will! Brian, I'm sorry I couldn't attend the memorial service today, but know I'm thinking of you. I know you will miss him too.

October 1998 -- Luncheon for the new fresh faced fall associates during orientation; I was joining the firm right out of law school after a decadent summer associate experience that included gracious entertaining by Took at his homes. Took arrived at lunch to address us at the start of our careers, and his words still ring with me today, and of course can be distilled to three points:

(1) This is going to be hard at times. Stick with it for five years; if you don't like it, get out and find what you really love to do. (I am still here)

(2) Treat every person at this firm, from your secretary to the paralegals to the partners, exactly as you would treat me -- with respect for their abilities and their time. (I hope I abide by this every day)

(3) Don't just do the work; take time to think. That's what our clients are paying for. I will give $100 to the person in this room who comes up with the most creative analysis to solve a particular client's problem. Think and earn it. (I didn't win during my first year (darn you, Tej!), but I strive for that $100 with every client problem I face)

Over the course of my first year (and every year thereafter), Took would roam our halls and the library, asking us what the hell were we doing and if we were thinking (it's difficult when the light is being frantically turned on and off). His spirit will always be wandering these halls, reminding us to love what we do, to take care of each other, and of course, to think.

I did not know Took well, but I did have the distinct pleasure of having him come barreling down my hall and shouting into my office on a couple of occasions. And though I never got to spend much time with him, I could tell even in just those few brief encounters that he was someone remarkable and special. So although I have no personal tales to tell, I wanted to pay a small tribute to this wonderful man by leaving a note here - to say you will be missed, always remembered, and often aspired to, even by those you only knew for a moment.

My fondest memory of Mr. Crowell was in 1992. I was here on a temporary assignment and I was sent to assist Graeme Bell (not knowing that the previous temp had left a little before I arrived in tears). Before I could even sit down, Graeme yelled: "go get me a Tab!!" Walking down the hall trying to find the soda machine (and mumbling under my breath), I almost ran into Mr. Crowell coming out of Mr. (Herb) Martin's office. He must have seen the fear on my face, and said: "I don't know you --who do you work for?" I said "I'm a temp and I'm assisting Graeme Bell." He then said: "Oh, he's likes to yell. But if he starts up, just call his wife Claudia -- he's scared of her!" It wasn't until a week later (when Graeme's secretary Nancy returned) that I found out who Mr. Crowell was.
He will be missed.

When I met Mr. Crowell I was introduced to him by an Accounting Staff member and as he turned to shake my hand he noticed my finger nails (which are long) and he said don't cut me with those nails and I said to him they're only good for one thing and he said what. I turned him around and began scratching his back....he said boy that felt good, can you scratch this side now....LOL! From that point on our relationship blossomed...Whenever Mr. Crowell would see me in a crowd in the firm, he would always single me out and come over to say hello or something to me very loudly....I will definitely miss him and all of his glory. He will truly be missed!

Mel

Took Crowell was a great lawyer and a great man. We greatly appreciate his dedication to legal services for low-income and underserved communities, and his longstanding support of Whitman-Walker.

My strongest memory of Took is the first time I met him. Coming from another firm, I was interviewing for a partnership position at Crowell & Moring. One rainy Tuesday morning in November 1986 I was to meet Mr. Crowell at 7:30 AM at Sam and Harry's for a breakfast interview. Mr. Crowell and I had never met, but I assumed that he must be important because the firm was named after him.

I arrived on time and started looking for a senior law firm partner who was looking for a junior law firm partner he had never met. People streamed in -- none of them Mr. Crowell. Finally, about 15 minutes later, a gentleman in a rain coat walked in and began looking around. He looked at me. I looked up.

"Are you Schwartz?" he asked.

"Yes," I said. "You must be Mr. Crowell."

He walked a few more steps toward to coat room, then he stopped, turned, and said "I'm late. I know I'm late, but I've got a good excuse."

He took two more steps toward the coatroom, stopped, and turned again. "Do you want to know my excuse?"

It was a question that called for only one answer. "Yes."

Then he pulled his raincoat open wide, revealing a suit with a big button on the lapel with the message "I Voted." It was the first Tuesday in November -- voting day.

"That's a pretty good excuse, don't you think?"

It was. At breakfast he did everything possible to make me feel comfortable, then asked me a few gentle questions about business towards then end.

When we got to the street, we shook hands, and his parting words were "let me know if I can do anything for you."

I remember walking away overwhelmingly impressed, and astonished. I didn't know that a Washington law firm could have an managing partner who was so human, so humane, and so immensely likeable. I remember thinking that I had just met a man who could command both respect and intense loyalty, and who must be a remarkable leader.

Time confirmed my initial impression. Crowell & Moring turned out to be a terrific law firm, and a wonderful place to work. And no one is mistaken about who was primarily responsible for making it that way.

I first met Took in 1976 at a meeting of the ABA's Section on Public Contract Law. He was talking to the few women at the meeting and asked me why more women did not attend the Section's programs. I was finishing up my duties as Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy in the Carter Administration and had been invited to speak at the closing luncheon for the Section during the ABA's Annual Meeting. Took decided to take me under his wing and introduce me to all the members of the Section Council. His form of introduction was typical Took-: " You should meet my friend, Karen Hastie Williams, she is leaving the White House Office of Federal Procurement Policy and is talking about going back to the Hill. Obviously, she should not go back to the Hill but should immediately join a prestigious government contracts law firm--not any firm but the best of the best--Crowell & Moring !! Needless to say, it was the most unusual job offer that I ever received.

Even after Took retired from the firm he would drop by periodically to make sure that everyone was still working and keeping his pension solvent! I will miss his mischievous smile, his entering my office by blinking the lights to let me know that he was there and wanted to know what project or client was responsible for the pile of documents on my desk and books on the floor! It is clear that all of us at C&M owe an enormous debt to Took. His vision of a multi-state, multicultural fiirm with thriving offices in major U.S. cities as well as strategic international business locations-London, Paris, Tokyo, the Middle East and Hong Kong has inspried the current leaders of the firm to follow his vision and realize the enormous potential that comes with such expannsion.

It was an honor and pleasure to have known and worked for such a GREAT man. I will miss him yelling down the halls and especially when he got to where I sat, he would always say "curly are you in there?"

Mr. Crowell, you will be missed.

If there really are 5 people you meet in heaven, I sure hope that Mr. C is one of them. He made such an impression on everyone who met him. He set a wonderful example of how to apply a velvet glove in leading others. I will always have fond memories of him.

I have the great privilege of occupying one of Took’s last offices at the firm, right around the corner from Stan Johnson. My previous office was just a few doors down from there, making me a regular target of Took’s pointed questions and testing of light switches. But it also allowed me to talk with Took regularly and to experience him as a great listener. This story illustrates the point: One day I was ducking out of the office early to accompany my mother to a doctor’s appointment concerning a possible hip replacement. Took saw me walking by and yelled, “Where the hell are you going, Bagley?” I poked my head in his office and told him. Took listened, asked questions, then told me about his own hip replacement and recommended a particular surgeon in the event the surgery became necessary for my mother. My mother eventually did see that surgeon and loved him. In the following months, Took never missed an opportunity to ask after her – between yelling at me and turning my lights on and off, of course.

I passed on the news of Took’s passing to many in the Summer Class of ’93/Fall Class of 94, all of whom have left the firm. In yet another testament to Took’s legacy, I received responses from virtually all of them, expressing sadness and fond memories. Our loss is being felt far and wide.

With fondest memories of Mr. Crowell. Your spirit will live on in the halls of C&M.

Having been recruited by Took and worked with the firm for 35 years, there are many memories, but a few stand out. I first met Took in LA. I had taken a job out there, but in the interim met my future wife Camille in DC, so I sent resumes to DC firms with the thought of moving back. One day, I received a phone call from someone who spoke with refinement and polish: "Hello, this is Eldon Crowell. We have received your resume, and it happens that I will be in LA next week. Perhaps I could meet you at our LA office when you are on your way into work. What time would that be?" "6 AM," I said, to which Took replied: "6AM! Just who the hell do you think you are?!!" I knew instantly this would not be the usual drab interview. And it wasn't. At one point, Took asked if I could write. Put at ease by his free-wheeling style, I responded, with uncharacteristic cheekiness, "What do you want, an affidavit?" For years thereafter, he would stop by my office and demand, "Where's that affidavit, Rutt?"

I showed up for work at Jones Day in January 1975. Those who worked at 1100 Connecticut will remember that, unlike power partners who secluded themselves in corner offices, Took positioned himself on the 11th floor just beyond our reception area so he could "greet" every visitor, in his inimitable style. So on my first day, I walked through the doors on the 11th floor and was hailed by Took: "Rutt, get in here! I have a case for you." Control Data, then a powerhouse computer company, needed a lawyer in Minneapolis to write claims on a government contract. Apart from my complete ignorance of government contracts, which he assured me he would promptly correct, I had a practical problem: having just moved from LA, I had no overcoat to help me brave the Minnesota winter. No problem. The next day, Took brought in a very nice old Chesterfield for me to wear on my trip. This vigniette illustrates what so many others have said in their tributes--Took cared about people, and showed it in small but important ways.

Much has been said about his inspirational work on behalf of the less fortunate in our community, and about the Took Tour, a truly against-the-grain idea that encapsulates so much about this man. In a world where summer associates are wined and dined and shown the upscale side of DC life, only Took had the wisdom to realize that they should also be exposed to the needs of the less fortunate in the City, and to emphasize that lawyers have a duty to serve those needs. So, he organized a bus tour to a homeless shelter and soup kitchen rather than a museum or wine tasting. Took was savvy enough to know that summer associates would appreciate the refreshing realities of living and working in DC that the Took Tour revealed, and would be attracted here by the knowledge that the firm's name partner cared about something more than making money.

So much more could be said, and will in the coming days. We will miss you, Took, but your spirit lives on in the wonderful firm that I and others on these pages have been devoted to for so many years.

I don't believe that Took gets enough credit for his hard work in promoting legal process that resolve disputes efficiently. He was on the Council of the Public Contracts Section (as I was) during the mid-70s when we were formulating the Contract Disputes Act. He also was an early promoter of alternative dispute resolution with his work with the Administrative Conference. It seems to me he sincerely believed that the work of a lawyer was to resolve disputes at the least cost not to prolong the agony.

I also have fond memories of Took from back in the 70s when we taught the first course on contract changes for Federal Publications. He was such an engaging teacher that he was a hard act to follow.

My more recent memory is the many times we saw him at the National Symphony (we attended the same series for a number of years). He almost invariably left before the end of the concert -- frequently at the intermission. That gave us a chance to tell him that the second half of the last concert was the best part and it was sad that he missed it. Our comment never changed his ways!

My fondest memory of Mr. Crowell was when I first started here at the firm 15 years ago and was sitting at my desk and heard this loud voice coming down the hall saying "Doesn't anybody do any work around here" and I said who in the world is that making all that noise because generally the hallway is very quiet, and I was informed that was Mr. Crowell. And as the years as past every time you see Mr. Crowell he always had a smile on his face and such a good spirit. And, I think he really liked being a part of "Take Your Daughters/Sons Work Day." It was almost as if he got to be a kid again. You will be missed especially during the George Bailey Awards and all the other firm events.

I was so very saddened to hear of Mr. Crowell's passing. One of my most cherished memories of Mr. Crowell was the wonderful dinner party he threw for a group of ten secretaries and staff who won an auction for a Bar Association charity. I am so lucky to have a picture of Mr. Crowell and me dancing together as our dinner party came to an end. Thank you so much, Mr. Crowell, for a last dance with you.

I was very saddened to see Mr. Crowell’s obituary in this morning’s Washington Post. What an impressive life he had and how well I remember the beginning of Crowell & Moring and the many years I was so fortunate to work at his firm. Back when I was in the accounting department he would come around flicking the lights on and off and yelling “What’s going on in here?”. Often he would single me out to “keep it down” –though I was very shy. I would be crossing the street and he would honk at me from his little Volkswagen. He would always speak and smile and make a friendly joke. His wonderful sense of humor and true compassion make him stand out in my memory as one of the greatest men I have ever known.

I am writing this note with a heavy heart. When I first met Mr. Crowell, I immediately realized that he was someone very special. I started working at the firm in 1980 a few days before C&M's first year anniversary, so my first encounter with Mr. Crowell was at the anniversary party at the Mayflower Hotel. My plan was to stay at the firm for 10 years and move on to something else. Thirty years later, I'm still here, and one of the main reasons is because of Mr. Crowell.

I have many fond memories of Mr. Crowell: Connecticut Avenue party for the staff, Connecticut Avenue small dinner party, cookout in the mountains, etc. One of my favorite memories is how Mr. Crowell gave himself to his staff. He made it a point to know and care about the people who worked for him. He made you feel like you were part of the firm. He had compassion for all of us.

I had the distinct honor to speak at Mr. Crowell's party, so some of you have already heard how I feel about him. What you did not hear on that day was Mr. Crowell telling me that he loved me. Wow, what a feeling that was!

I went home the other day and thanked God for putting Mr. Crowell in my life, and for putting me in Mr. Crowell's life.

My fondest memories of Mr. Crowell is of his beautiful indomitable spirit.

But, what I will never forget about him is the personal connections to the people who worked here at C&M. I was most impressed with the way he could recall the personal anecdotes and stories of the most senior staff. I found it amazing that after so many years he was still able to remember the smallest of details that most all too often forget. My last interaction with him was on Take Your Children to Work Day. I was getting on the elevator to go down as he was exiting off. In typical "Took" fashion, he turned to me and said, "where are those children?" I looked at him and said how can you miss them? With his hands in his pockets, he walked away and as he had done to many times, entered the room as if he owned the place....which he did!!!! I will miss that.

I will never forget those many times Took used to stop by my office, flashing the light switch on and off, just to ask if I was OK. To this day I keep a few toys on my desk in honor of one of the valuable lessons he taught us: take your work very seriously, but never take yourself too seriously.

One of my many memories of Mr. Crowell was from my first day at Crowell & Moring -- August 22, 1979. I had just finished interviewing with Janet Klingerman who had hired me on the spot as the new messenger for the library. I was so excited about the new job. As I was walking down the hall I heard a loud voice. Someone was saying, "What the heck is going on around here?! Doesn't anybody do any work?" My first thought was, "did they hire my Dad, too?" As the voice got closer I found that it was Mr. Crowell. He looked right at me and said, "How did you get in here? They're just letting anybody in here these days." I asked him whether he wanted me to leave, but he said, "No. Since you're here, you might as well do something, Stretch." I said, "That's not my name. My name is…" And before I could get a word in, he said "That's the name I gave you and that's the name you'll have as long as you're here." Up until l the last time I saw him, which was at the George Bailey Award ceremony on April 20, 2010, he still called me Stretch. I was very pleased that I had a chance to tell him something that I had wanted to say for years. Whispering, I said, "Thanks for all the things that you did for me over the years." He gave me a hug and said, "You're welcome, my friend."

I met Took through my mother, Dr. Betty Ann Ottinger. Took is family and a dear friend. His laugh and passion were such gifts and echo on. His metaphorical heart and caring for friends and strangers in the greatest need were deep and loyal. And Took was a man of action and he got things done. His sarcastic wit was matched only by my mom's, and watch out when the two of them got going in the same direction. I won't mention Took's frugality, but it's worth noting and I guess I did.

I had the good fortune of being a summer associate back in 1986 I believe when I attended Stanford Law School. I worked with a real taskmaster named W. Stanfield Johnson. (Stan, you can confirm it but I did go to Stanford.) The toughest part of my job as a summer associate was making dinner reservations in Seattle for the Crowell legal team while collecting conflict of interest documents from Boeing. The major conflicts for me, however, were where the team should eat each evening. Was it Ken who could eat a few buckets of mussels all by himself as an appetizer?

Finally, my mom, who is schooled in psychoanalysis, loves to analyze people and thinks everyone should express their feelings and emotions. I grew up that way too. Well, Took wore his feelings on his sleeve but we know wasn't one to get into all that sappy talk. I don't care what Took would say about it, but I love you Took.

On behalf of the entire Ottinger family, we send sincere condolences to all those you care so much about, to Brian, to Erin, to Stan, to all the vulnerable children you helped and on and on. As Phil Stern noted, your afterlife will be measured by all those whose lives you have touched and that's larger than life, just like you.

Larry O.

I served with Took on the Board of Equal Justice Works when it was known as the National Association for Public Interest Law. He was totally committed!! It was great to have had the opportunity to serve with him, learn from him, and laugh with him. It was especially important to have a pillar of the legal community pushing for public interest law. Took understood that and used his resources for the good.

Thank you Took, you will be missed.

Janell Byrd-Chichester

Here is my favorite Took story. Shortly after I joined the firm in 1984, I attended a Fed Pubs course in Crystal City at which Took was speaking. He saw me in the audience and at a break offered me a ride back to the office in his car. After the course, I sought Took out and found him engaged in a discussion with a junior civilian Pentagon employee. Wondering how Took might extricate himself from this discussion so we could return to the office, I was surprised to hear Took offer the fellow a ride to his Pentagon office on the way back to Connecticut Avenue. Soon we were in front of the hotel awaiting the return of Took's car from the valet. I was expecting a senior partner in a major D.C. law firm to drive a car with sufficient gravitas, say, a Mercedes or a Beemer. Imagine my surprise when the valet drove up in a beat-up VW bug with the number 60 painted on the side as if the car would soon compete in a demolition derby. (Took had just turned 60 and his friends surprised him by painting 60 on his car – He saw no need to get the car repainted). We all jumped in and enjoyed a great discussion with Took on the way back, by way of the Pentagon.

This story captures some of what made Took such an amazing person. Took treated everyone with respect, warmth and interest, no matter their station in life, young associate or junior government lawyer. He was irreverent and did not take himself seriously. He felt no need to put on airs and thus encouraged all of us to be ourselves and not feel compelled to conform to some preconception of how things should be done. All this from a man who was a giant in the field of government contracts and as well the Washington pro bono community. I am grateful for the opportunity to have had him in my life.

When the time came to move from our original home on Connecticut Avenue to the new frontier down on Pennsylvania Avenue, Took insisted that the architect place the library in the center of the firm’s two floors. Took believed that the library was the heart of the firm where people and ideas should flow freely. The open, doorless floor plan broke with the tradition of an enclosed library designed to protect books. Not only did the design win awards, it succeeded in creating a village square where we thrived as a firm and as individuals.

As a brand new law librarian, I felt empowered by Took’s expectation that the library should serve the firm in this role. Twenty-five years later, I still believe in Took’s vision. Solutions often lie in the serendipity of a chance conversation or the right book spied on a nearby shelf. I will honor his faith in libraries for the rest of my career.

It was an pleasure and honor to work for Mr. Crowell. May his indomitable spirit forever grace the halls for a wonderful firm.

I am so sad to hear of Mr. Crowell's passing. In the 4 years that I worked for the firm, I had a handful of meetings with him, in the halls, on the sidewalk, at firm events. Those sharp, dancing blue eyes and that booming voice will stay with me for many, many years to come. The way that he treated everyone at the firm, the way he was so beloved by the staff who came with him at the outset ~ he was a rare human being, and I hope his philosophy lives on within the current leadership structure as the firm continues to grow and thrive, because that philosophy is what makes C&M a truly unique place to work.

He was one of a kind, and the world will have to work very hard to see his equal.

My condolences to his family and friends.

Mary Jo Tomalewski