Dennis Charles Crabb
1944-2022
Dennis Charles Crabb was born on May 16, 1944, in Seattle, Washington. He attended Central Washington University and the University of Oregon where he earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 1979. He retired as Professor of Music at Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA. Dennis passed away peacefully at PeaceHealth Hospital Vancouver, WA, with his wife Li Li, and daughter Chelsea and her boyfriend Bret by his side on March 18, 2022 at age 77.
Dennis is survived by a loving family: his beautiful Chinese wife Li Li Crabb with whom he had performed many concerts and recorded multiple albums; his three beloved children from a previous marriage – James, Nicholas and Chelsea – and two grandchildren Colton and Bonnie; his older brother James Crabb and wife Anne Crabb; and nieces Carrie, Kathy and Jenny and their families.
Dennis had a great sense of humor and couldn’t stand life being too serious. Not surprisingly, he is gaining a lot of attention in death just like he did in life. The many phone calls and postings about him from friends, students and neighbors have been overwhelming. Dennis led an interesting life, traveling to most European countries and to China, he studied and taught music, conducted numerous choirs and orchestras, and played multiple instruments such as piano, recorder and saxophone. He loved music, teaching, traveling, people, wine and food–you name it. Dennis used to say “Falling asleep during a concert is a compliment to the composer.” On the day of his passing, he fell asleep and closed the final curtain after listening to French composer Eric Satie.
Perhaps friends still remember the time when Dennis and Li Li performed one of the Frank Sinatra’s songs “My Way” by Paul Anka from many years ago, and just like the lyrics of the song – Dennis did it HIS WAY.
My Way
And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friends, I’ll say it clear
I’ll state my case of which I’m certain
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way
Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption
I planned each chartered course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way
Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall
And did it my way
I’ve loved, laughed and cried
I’ve had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside
I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way
Oh no, no, not me
I did it my way
For what is a man, what has he got
If not himself then he has not
To say all the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows, I took the blows
I did it my way
Please join us for a memorial service to celebrate the life of Dennis Crabb. We will gather together on 5/21/22, 2 PM at Sequim Trinity United Methodist Church (100 South Blake Ave, Sequim WA 98382) to remember Dennis Crabb whom will be truly missed. Please share this information with family and friends. All that are interested and would like to contact the family may do so at: lilicrabb@gmail.com.
Dennis was a dear cousin who brought joy into our lives. Our family fondly remembers when Dennis stayed with us in Germany while he studied the recorder under a master in Frankfurt.
Rest easy cousin. You have hit all the notes.
I was so glad to be able to see Uncle Dennis just before he left us — I got to tell him how much his music made me want to play the piano from the time I was seven or eight years old. I couldn’t have put words to it at the time, but now looking back I know what it was that affected me so much: It wasn’t just the fact of his playing, it was the way he seemed to become one with the instrument, to know what to do without hesitation, to improvise jaw-droppingly, to lift his voice along with it, to make a single experience out of several elements at once, elements that were all individual yet responded seamlessly and melded easily with each other. There was a passion and a knowing and a deep presence in his playing that I wanted to experience firsthand, wanted to be able to do myself. I don’t play much anymore, but when I do I carry Uncle Dennis’s passion for the music with me. So grateful to have had him in our lives.
I will miss you Dennis! I remember when I was going g through a really really hard time in my life and was 1,000 miles away from home.I was feeling sad,lonely and scared.You said to trust God amd have faith brother! You prayed for me that day and it touched my spirit! I remember when I would be out back grilling amd I would hear your voice say “hey neighbor” and then all I would see was tour hand with a small glass with a flower in it! Smooth move sir…smooth move! I remember hearing you and Li Li singing on some days and it sounded angelic to the soul my amazing neighbor! You will be missed deeply Dennis! Your neighbor,Steven.
Hands down my favorite teacher in high school such a gentle soul.RIP Mr. Crabb
Dennis,
You were the best colleague/mentor I could have wished for during my first three years teaching music at PC. I knew you were on my side even before the interview and it made things so much easier. Your laughter and wide-ranging musical knowledge and sense of humor made my introduction to Port Angeles so much easier. I remember your pride in actually owning several copies of Tallis’ “Spem in Alium” (for 40 different voices!). I listened to that when I heard of your passing. Happy Trails, amigo. There will not be another …
Mr Crabb was our music teacher at Ilwaco High School. He was such a nice and talented person. I respected him and admired him. Blessings to your family and prayers for peace and comfort.
Laurie Carlisle
1978 grad
Sir Dennis how I loved knowing Jordan received the first candy cane of the year from Santa Claus because he was such a special boy because you were that special elf. You had old fashioned values about friendship that was refreshing and needed today in this world. Your kindness stood out like a rare gem. You are greatly cherished and heavily missed ❤
Dennis came to the long Beach peninsula when I was in the 6th grade and he taught us music until I graduated. His spice for life inspired many. He also instigated a love for photography in myself and I was able to make a good living taking pictures for over 20 years. I truly loved Mr. Crabb. Rip friend.
Dr. Crabb…best buddy and colleague. We had so many good times in J-7 at Peninsula College. You encouraged me to sing with “everyone” and to study and perform in settings that I thought I would never be able to do in my forties. All the classical masses we did. I can still feel the fillings of beautiful harmonies and very hard passages thru Beethoven’s 9th. We made St. Andrew’s a glorious church to come to for our audiences to hear our music.
I can still see you at the blackboard explaining the whole note and how many quarter notes was in a whole note using dividing up a pizza as an example. When I heard the vocal eight part acapella setting of Shenandoa on the radio I knew it was you saying hi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8yBPMrlz9w
Till we meet again. Love Robbin
A cold wind whistles through the forests of the Northwest as life bemoans the loss of Dennis Crabb The Choirmaster, whose musical endeavors warmed, nurtured, and raised our souls for so many years. Those of us who had the good fortune to know, love, and experience him are touched for life. Rest In peace, dear friend, colleague, and spirit. You have touched us all with your gifts, and we are forever changed and lifted through your having “been there”. The magic of your music rides the winds and continues to magnify our lives.
So sorry to hear of his passing- what a great man and inspiration to so many. I had the pleasure of being in the Ilwaco High band when he returned to the peninsula as our leader. He did so much to make us a great band from a humble little school and made all of us better people in the process. I fondly remember our Disneyland trip after we were invited to perform there after raising the money to go. His always great sense of humor lives on as I still use quotes from him during certain songs I hear! Hurky things and short hand song names like “Am the butt” for America the beautiful! We loved that man and his legacy will live forever!
So sorry for your loss. A loss for all of us, really.
Dennis made the kids and geezers who made up the Peninsula College Choir sound like angels. The heavenly choirs are about to have more fun than ever before when he arrives!
Dennis had a good sense of humor that showed up in various ways. It was fun to work with him.
I had thought many times about trying to reach out to Boss Crabb over the years. He was not just the best music teacher I’d ever had; he was also a source for advice or comfort to all of his students. His excitement over the audition process for that trip to Disneyland was not only infectious, it also spoke deeply of his belief in his students’ ability to actually succeed in winning the invite. He was an all-around great teacher, mentor and friend and he will be sorely missed/
Susan Herbert
I had Professor Crabb for a class when I first attended Peninsula college. He was a wonderful teacher and his passion and love of music was infectious to me as one of his many students. I continued to be inspired and impressed by his energy and joy when he would come and have his different choirs sing to the children in the childcare center on campus, where I worked. I always brought the children to any recitals or concerts on campus and it was always a great time for everyone. A good teacher and a kind person. Blessings and condolences.
Barbara Duncan April 8
I was fortunate to sing in a Methodist choir under Dennis’s direction, and by the time my second year passed, I fully could appreciate his expert conducting, and his great knowledge of music. Dennis led us with passion from the depths of his soul. Singing was my praise to God, and I felt fully liberated to release that with Dennis’s leading. I could feel that depth as I watched him conduct. It was sad when we all had to break up due to many circumstances, and I will always feel sorry that Dennis did not have the opportunity to bless more people with his great talent. But perhaps where he is now, he is doing exactly that! Thank you, Dennis, for all you have given!
Dennis was a colleague of mine at PC until my retirement in 2007. I grew to appreciate his heart-easing humor, his wisdom, his caring, and the bracing variety of his musical tastes and abilities. Two of my compositions, settings of songs from plays by Shakespeare, were performed in his annual end-of-the-year concert in 2007 by the wonderful soprano Robbin Eaves. What an honor that was for me, and what an honor and a joy it was for me to know Dennis as a friend and colleague. My thoughts are with everyone who had the joy of knowing the man and who now mourn his loss.
It’s a rare person that can turn a Spike Jones song into a music theory lesson. I had the good fortune to take music history and music theory from Dennis, sang in two of his choirs, and ended up buying my first car from him and Li Li. It would be no overstatement to say his influence is still shaping my life to this day.
It was lovely knowing you and Lili while we were all together @ PC. Dinners, conversations, and everything in between. I will miss you dear friend! Muah!
This truly breaks my heart. He was one of a kind. I had so much fun with him in class. He called me Bubbles, and pushed me to sing “outside the box” of what I thought I should be singing. He had a HUGE impact on my life. I will miss you so “Crabby”.
Love Always,
Amanda “Bubbles” Bacon
I’m seeing so many comments from my friends from Ilwaco High School, and it is really touching. Dennis Crabb was our music teacher in the 70’s, and he really touched us all. He was an amazing man. I wish I had recordings of all of the music he was part of back then. Rest in peace, great man!! You will live forever in our hearts and minds. Thank you for being a part of our lives and guiding us while you were here. Hugs and much love xoxo
Mr Crabb, I realize you went on to become a Doctor, but you will always be Mr Crabb to me! I remember with much fondness my days in your band at Ilwaco High School during the mid-70’s. You pushed us hard to be our best while making every day fun along the way. For example, I have this memory that you would lead us into a song, not by saying the normal, “One Two Three Four”, but rather “One Two Weird Off”! Who DOES that? LOL….well, YOU…and only you! I also remember that my Dad, Tracy, fell in love with the theme song from the movie, “Patton”, so he asked you if our band could learn it, if he bought us all the music…and you said yes! I can’t tell you how happy it made him when the marching band played that song at a football game! As a WWII Vet and a non-musician, it touched him to be a part of my world in that way and it was because you made it possible! Thank you! Later in my life, I went on to become a music teacher too and I credit your example as part of my inspiration along my journey. I send my deepest condolences to your family and friends! And as you move on to your next adventure, I say with much love and admiration, “One Two Weird Off!”
Dennis was a teacher that forever left a mark on me as a young flautist. In my formative years I so looked up to him and enjoyed his humor in class. He really cared about the art of music
Thanks, Dennis, for playing duets with me!
My first intro to Mr Crabb was as our music teacher at Long Beach Elementary….thru Jr High. He was instrumental in getting me into vocal lessons and helped shape my life. His “Pops Concerts” were beyond memorable and set the bar higher than any future music teacher aimed for.