Fairfield's William Crouch, Expert on Comics

William M. “Bill” Crouch of Fairfield died Feb. 21 from a heart attack at age 66. Crouch was a well-known scholar in the world of comics, writing many books on the subject and a few of his own throughout his life.

Crouch was born in Bridgeport on Jan. 25, 1945. After attending Fairfield Country Day School and St. George’s School in Newport, R.I., he went on to study at Columbia University, where he was an accomplished fencer. His senior thesis for his degree in art history was on comic art, a controversial topic in 1967 because of the lack of scholarly study of the subject.

Crouch enlisted in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, serving until 1972. After the war, he earned a master’s in journalism from Pennsylvania State university, but left his planned career in public relations to take over the family business, Bridgeport’s Equity Paper Company, after his father’s death. He continued to work as a paper salesman even after selling the company to General Business Envelope of Hartford in 1981.

But outside of his day job, Crouch again took up his study of comics. He contributed to large reference books such as "100 Years of American Newspaper Comics,” “The World Encyclopedia of Comics,” and the “World Encyclopedia of Cartoons.” He also penned his own books, including five on Walt Kelly’s “Pogo” and three on Chester Gould, creator of “Dick Tracy.” He also wrote comics of his own, including stories for such Hanna-Barbera comics as “The Flintstones” “The Jetsons,” “Yogi Bear,” “Top Cat” and “Hong Kong Phooey.”

Crouch is survived by his wife, Minh-Chau Luong-Crouch; her brothers Jim and Bob Luong-si; her sister Quynh-Chau Luong-Nguyên and their families; his sister, Dorothy Crouch; his brother, Miller Crouch, and sister-in law Sarah, and a niece.  A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 19, at Lesko-Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, Fairfield. The family would prefer contributions directed to either  the American Heart Association-Connecticut Chapter, 5 Brookside Drive (P.O. Box 5022), Wallingford, CT 06492 or the Girls Scouts of America-Housatonic Council, 87 Washington Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06604-3800.

Did you know Bill? Have you read any of his books or comics? Share your memories in the comments below.

 

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