Bruce Robert Crew

Bruce Robert Crew, a native of Michigan who had lived in Carlsbad, N.M since 2008, passed away on March 9, 2026, at Lakeview Christian Home. He was 79.

Bruce was the second of 5 children born to Naomi McNeal Crew and Richard Franklin Crew. He was born in Trenton, Michigan, and grew up in Alma, Michigan. He delivered newspapers and joined the Boy Scouts, attending the Boy Scout high adventure camp in Philmont, NM as a scout and as a counselor. Like the rest of his family, Bruce attended Michigan State University, earning a degree in Agriculture-Animal Science, and becoming a lifelong fan of MSU football and basketball. His true passion was his Christian faith and his greatest interest was Biblical Geography. These two forces combined when he traveled to Israel to study the Geography-History of Israel. He often called his 6 years there the best time of his life.

Describing the field of Biblical Geography, Bruce wrote:

“I hold a special passion for the Human Geography of North Africa-Southwest Asia’s geographic realm, in particular, the region of the Middle East. In addition to serving as home to the world’s three great monotheistic religions, this region continues to play a defining role in today’s world, and I predict the role will continue well into the future. I received firsthand exposure to this area while living in Jerusalem during M.A. studies. My personal contact with the region sparked a strong passion in me, one that continues to drive a desire for future research, as well as a personal goal to educate others about this fascinating but exciting and volatile region.”

Back home, Bruce pursued his religious interests with a Master of Divinity from Trinity International University in Illinois and followed that with a Doctorate in Geography from Univ. of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Armed with both degrees, Bruce taught Biblical Geography at various colleges and community colleges in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. He was active in the Association of American Geographers (AAG), presenting his research at meetings in Washington D.C. and The Hague.

In 2008, Bruce moved to Carlsbad, N.M. to be a part of the team caring for his parents in the Landsun Retirement Community (now Lakeview). He became a fan of the Artesia and Roswell high school sports teams. He attended the Blodgett Street Baptist Church of Carlsbad and a supporter of First United Methodist Church where his parents had been members.

He is survived by his twin brothers, Wayne and Charles Crew, sister, Sandra Lennemen and sister-in-law, Carole Crew and their families.

A Memorial Service is being planned for a future date.