Gordon “Gordy” Crupper Jr. was born in Denver, CO on December 15, 1944 to Gordon Sr. and Ellen Crupper. Due to his father’s employment, he and his family moved several times, eventually settling in Hamilton, MT. Gordy graduated from Hamilton High School in May 1963. He entered Montana State College that fall and attended classes for one year, at the end of which he secured an appointment to West Point from Senator Mike Mansfield. Due to his previous college experience, he was ahead of most of his classmates academically plebe year and was always available to help any classmate with academics. He was especially adept at coaching some of his classmates in plebe math. He is remembered by his classmates as someone who would do anything asked of him if it were in his power! 

Gordy was a member of Company A-1 all four years, as was the author of this memorial article. I had the privilege of being his roommate twice during those four years, and we became trusted friends during that time. As an adopted son of Montana, he came to love skiing more than any other pursuit. During yearling year, while on one of his ski outings in the Catskills, he met the lady who would become the love of his life, Deborah France. At first they were simply skiing buddies, but eventually started dating seriously. Their relationship progressed very well, and they were married during graduation leave on July 20, 1968. They spent their honeymoon in Idaho and Montana fly fishing and camping. After graduation leave, he reported to Fort Knox, KY for the Armor Officer Basic Course, followed by Ranger School at Fort Benning, GA. He was then assigned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Lewis, WA, where he served for two years as a platoon leader and squadron adjutant. He then received orders to Vietnam. Enroute to Vietnam he completed Jungle Warfare School in Panama. In Vietnam he was a member of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, serving as a platoon leader and cavalry troop commander. During his tour of duty in Vietnam he was awarded a Bronze Star with “V” device. After his tour was completed, he went to Fort Benning and completed the Infantry Officer Advanced Course. 

Afterwards, he and his family spent almost three years at Bindlach, Germany, where he was assigned to the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. His last year there he commanded a tank troop. He was then assigned to Montana State College, his old alma mater. There he obtained a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. After completing his degree, he stayed on at Montana State as an assistant professor of military science. He also was an instructor in the Mechanical Engineering Department. He then went to the Lincoln Laboratories, which was affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA as his next assignment. There he was engaged in research and development. While in the Boston area he was promoted to major. It was in Boston that Gordy and his family developed a keen interest in sailing. Over the ensuing years they owned four sailboats. His next stop was Fort Leavenworth, KS for the Command and General Staff College. 

Then it was on to Fort Stewart, GA, where his last assignment was as the executive officer of 2nd Armored Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment. Following his three-year tour at Fort Stewart, he was ordered to Washington, DC, where he was assigned to the Operation Testing Evaluation Team (OTET). While assigned there, he initially did most of his work at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD and White Sands Missile Range, NM. After two years the OTET team was merged with another program at the Pentagon, and he completed his Army career working from his Pentagon office. 

In August 1992 he retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He then worked for three years for Modern Technology. Here, he held the position of principal engineer on a number of projects. He then retired, and Deborah and Gordy began to outfit their recently acquired 42-foot sailboat for open water sailing. They soon began an odyssey during which they spent summers on Chesapeake Bay and winters in the Bahamas, while living on their boat. They had a fabulous time exploring the Bahamas on their boat. Gordy became so enamored with sailing that he actually became a serious sailboat racer, competing in races on Chesapeake Bay and in Key West. His other interests included being a member of the National Ski Patrol, woodworking, and fly fishing. 

Soon after their 10th season on the boat, Gordy began to have health issues. They sold their boat and settled in Beaufort, SC. They soon bought a trawler that they were going to refurbish, but his failing health prevented that. On July 4, 2020 Gordy escaped the trials and tribulations of this life and went home to be with the Lord. They enjoyed 52 years of marital bliss. In speaking with Deborah, it is obvious they had a great marriage and made each other extremely happy. They were blessed with three children: Holly, Hillary, and Gordon III; and one granddaughter, Sophie. Deborah characterizes Gordy as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and dear friend to many. 

Those of us who knew him will attest to the fact that he was warm and gracious, always optimistic, never critical. No matter what the circumstances were, he was always cool, calm, and ready to do anything asked of him. The world is a better place due to his sojourn here, and he will be missed by all of us who knew him. Be at peace Gordy, knowing that we who knew you say, “Well Done.”

— Ron Warncke ’68