In Memoriam: Malcolm Crooks

There is little about the natural beauty of Solebury today that was not tended with great care, for many decades, by Malcolm Crooks. A founding member and tireless volunteer for land preservation and watershed protection, Malcolm lived his creed: Walk gently on the earth.

He served on the Township's first planning commission. He helped found both the Honey Hollow and Aquetong watershed associations. He provided invaluable guidance to the Bucks County Audubon Society, Bucks County Conservation District, Heritage Conservancy preservation program, Bucks County Planning Commission and several other organizations. And he pioneered Solebury's land preservation program. Malcolm's devotion to stewardship of our environment inspired many and helped guide the mission of the township.

A lifelong Solebury Resident, Malcolm grew up on Tuckamony Farm, which has been operated by the Crooks family since 1929. For over four decades his professional career focused on wildlife management and land conservation in West Virginia and New Jersey, serving 20 years as a regional representative at the National Association of Conservation Districts.

Malcolm served on Solebury's first Planning Commission from 1956 to 1963, and was the first landowner in the township to permanently preserve his 70-acre farm. After retirement, he focused his skills full-time on maintaining a sustainable community in Solebury.

"I was very intent on working with the township to get planning established," he said in a 2010 oral history interview with the Solebury Township Historical Society. "The objective of this was to preserve as much good agricultural land and critical areas as possible for environmental improvement. Wholesale development is not in the cards because of our land preservation program."

Asked if he had a message for future generations of Solebury residents, Malcolm Crooks, a longtime fixture at Board of Supervisors and committee meetings, pointed to the critical role of citizens to remain engaged in local civic affairs.

"It's so important that the citizens of Solebury Township stay current with what is happening at the township government level. A lot of things go on that affect you directly, either in the short term or the long term. And the voice of the citizens is extremely important," he said.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Solebury Friends Meeting, 2680 Sugan Road, on Saturday, July 13, at 11 a.m.

The Solebury Township Board of Supervisors will honor Malcolm Crook's legacy during its Aug. 20 meeting at 6 p.m. in the Township Building.

Donations in his memory can be made to Solebury Friends Meeting, PO Box 263, Solebury PA 18963 or the Malcolm P. Crooks Scholarship Fund, Aquetong Watershed Association, PO Box 504, New Hope, PA 18938.