Howard F. Crisp

Howard Francis Crisp, age 84, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 8, 2025. He was born December 28, 1940 in Homestead, Pennsylvania to the late Howard and Frances (Holleran) Crisp. He received a Bachelor of Science in Art Education in 1962 from the State College in Edinboro, Pennsylvania and a Masters in Fine Art in 1970 from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1963-1967 as a lieutenant on the U.S.S. Oklahoma and U.S.S. Providence. After the service, he lived in Detroit, Michigan and moved to Traverse City, Michigan in 1972. Howard was married on June 29, 1985 to his beloved wife, Nancy “Shag” (Gronemeyer) Crisp. Howard had many passions and skills, but his love of building, creation and artistic expression was the thread throughout. His career spanned professional multi-media artistic work and teaching metalsmithing and jewelry at NMC, software engineering and craft boat building. His interests included sailing, cooking and baking, cross-country skiing, jazz music and scuba diving. He loved to challenge himself with problem-solving and invention, including building his own at-home printing press for his and wife Nancy’s artwork. Warm, engaging and with a quick wit and great sense of humor, Howard made fast friends with almost everyone he met. He was active as a volunteer in Traverse City at the Dennos Museum, the Inland Seas Education Association, the State Theater and also in Colorado working on hiking trail maintenance and ecological conservation. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Howard & Fran (Holleran) Crisp; brother Bill Crisp; and sister-in-law, Anne Johnson. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Nancy; his former wife Winifred Crisp Nemiroff and their children, Cris Crisp (Susan Kostrzewa) and Megan (Sean) Horita; stepson, Bill (Karin) Church; grandchildren, Miya Horita, Callan Horita, Marguerite Church, Nicolas Church; and sister-in-law, Rena Crisp. Per Howard’s wishes, cremation will take place, and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Traverse City. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Howard’s honor to the Inland Seas Education Association of Suttons Bay, MI.

Howard F. Crisp

December 28, 1940 - May 8, 2025