Alex Paul
For The New Era
A former Sweet Home businessman was recently honored by having a building named after him by the State of Idaho.
John Crumb, a graduate of Oregon State University, was a partner with Sweet Home’s Osburn Shaw in the firm of Shaw, Dobyns and Associates in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Mr. Crumb, who died in October 2003, was in charge of the company’s reforestation programs.
He later worked for the Linn County Fire Patrol and the Klamath Fire Patrol before moving to Idaho.
“He was always interested in fire management,” Shaw said.
The Crumbs were active in the Sweet Home community during their time here, Shaw added.
Mrs. Crumb (Marian) taught at the high school and was a 4-H leader. Mr. Crumb started the local Jaycee flag program and was leader of Boy Scout Troop 63.
His widow now lives in Hayden, Idaho, The couple had three children.
The official state proclamation from Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, read:
Whereas, John Crumb came to Idaho in 1969 as an employee of the Idaho Department of Lands; and
Whereas, John Crumb’s distinguished career in public service spanned more than twenty-seven years as the Chief of the Bureau of Fire Management; and
Whereas, John Crumb laid the foundation for a modern system of Forest Fire Protection in Idaho; and
Whereas, John Crumb’s leadership has earned him respect among forest fire authorities throughout the western United States; and
Whereas, it is appropriate that we recognize this great Idahoan whose vision and tenacity helped make Idaho the great state that it is today;
Now, therefore, I Dirk Kempthorne, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim the state building formerly known as the Idaho Department of Lands Fire Warehouse, will henceforth be known as the John Crumb Building.