Robert Charles Crosby

Robert Charles Crosby, born on April 28, 1942, 83, of Erie, Pa, passed away on August 3, 2025, at UPMC-Hamot. He was the son of the late Walter and Rosalie (Bester) Crosby. Robert was an only child, born in Laurel, MS, where he lived until the family would relocate to Erie, Pa in 1948 after which his father the late W.C. Crosby would come to play with the Negro Professional Baseball League, "The Cleveland Buckeyes".

Robert graduated from Strong Vincent High School, worked as a Transporter at UPMC Hamot, Ed and Janies Bar and Grill as a Bartender, and later retired from the Erie County Corrections with 30 years of service. After retirement, he worked for Solvedts as a School Van Driver. He was a former member of First Good Samaritan AME Zion Church. Elder Robert, who preferred to be called Bob, was a charter member of Victory Christian Center Cathedral. He loved to watch Westerns, classic movies and listen to Gospel Music. 

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his godson, Tahj Allen, of Erie,  grandparents, Arcola and Walter C. Crosby, Sr., and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bester, all of Laurel, MS, life-long friends, Donna Rickert, whom he considered a sister, Pat Jones and Jean Ridgeway.

Robert leaves to cherish his memory, his nieces, Tracey Thomas, Terri Moyer, Timeree Rickert Byrd, all of Erie, Pa and Toia Elliott of Indianapolis, IN, God sons, Gary Williams, Maurice (Dewey) Woodard, Khyl Horton and DaVante Jones, all of Erie, Pa. God daughter, Kimberly (Polk) Tate of Philadelphia, Pa, his lifelong friends, Bishop Dwane and Olivia Brock, Brenda Tamplin, Shirley Jones, Julia and Leonard “Big Jeff” Jefferson, Arthur "Buster" Gilmore, Rev. Linda Reed and the Horton family, all of Erie, Pa. In addition, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, his Victory Christian Church family, and caregivers, Eleanor Faye Vaughn, Alvin "Chip" Vincent and Mother Betty Harris.

Relatives and friends may call, Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Victory Christian Center Cathedral, 1129 Pennsylvania Avenue, Erie, Pa 16503 from 11:00 am until the time of his Homegoing Celebration at 1:00 pm with Bishop Dwane Brock, officiating. Burial will be in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery. Please send condolences to: davisgarrfuneralhome.com.

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