On September 17, 2016, one of the bright flames of today’s Torch Association was extinguished as we lost George Crepeau.  Born in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, George served in World War II and studied and taught at Michigan and Cornell before coming to the Speech and Theatre Department of The Ohio State University in 1959.  Given awards by his peers and popular with his students, George also advised high school and community theatre groups, and made an annual pilgrimage to France to immerse himself in that great theatre tradition, reflecting his involvement as member and board chair of the Midwest Universities Consortium for International Activity.  In the last ten years of his tenure at OSU, from 1979 to 1989, he was Associate Dean of the College of Arts, and in retirement remained active as President of the Ohio State University Retirees Association.

    Throughout his university career George Crepeau was very active in the Columbus Torch Club, legendary for attracting new members and lining up interesting programs.  As President of the International Association of Torch Clubs from 1990 to 1992, he was always unflappable and calm in the face of any crisis.  When the dais tablecloth caught fire at the Paxton banquet during the Torch Convention in 1991, George briefly noted that the spirit of Torch was burning especially brightly there in Buffalo, calmly tossed his water glass at the flames, and went right on with his speech, not pausing to note the frantic activity of the staff in putting out the conflagration.  Known affectionately as “George the Good,” he was always a gentleman, quiet and yet persistent in convincing others of his positions.  During conventions, he often presided informally over the social activities in the bar or in the pool, and he remained a valued advisor to subsequent presidents during the traditional Past Presidents’ Breakfasts.

    For years after his service on the IATC Board, George helped to revive and strengthen the Torch Foundation as its president for many years.  He always had Patricia, his wife of 70 years—known to many as “First Lady of Torch”—by his side.  It was my personal pleasure to spend a half hour with George and Pat at their home this summer during the Torch Convention there, recalling the wonderful years we shared in Torch.  He was vitally interested in the present and future of Torch right up to the end.  We shall surely miss him!