RE Log Spring 2018

20 Ransom Everglades LOG SPRING 2018 the other discussing how to help students overachieve. Other faculty members advised Crabtree never to underesti- mate the school’s student body. “One of the things they told me was don’t try to snow- ball the students,” he said. “The students know more than you do, and they know about a lot of subjects that you don’t. If you don’t know, say you don’t know – and let’s try to find out.” Crabtree began teaching chemistry, AP Biology and Anatomy and Physiology. He couldn’t stand the idea of lecturing from notes, so he did not. He preferred to throw out ideas, get feedback and let students test things out in the laboratory. “The kids here are bright, motivated, intelligent and disciplined,” Crabtree said. “They were as good, or better, than the college students I had been teaching.” Said Lester: “His lab was the showcase. He had all sorts of models and students’ projects on display. In his teaching, he was able to give them lots of examples and anecdotes that helped them understand the material. He was excellent.” From his first day on the job, it did not occur to Crabtree to leave campus after the final bell. He found his way to the pool deck after school and offered to do the timing at swim meets. It wasn’t long before he landed the head coaching position for track and field. A year later, he took over the girls’ cross country team. It was a job he never relinquished. His runners fondly recall Saturday training sessions at the former Parrot Jungle in South Miami; grueling hill climbs on the Rickenbacker Causeway; and long van rides enlivened by old tunes from John Mellencamp and Meatloaf. They remember endless streams of encouragement. As the years went by, Doc had the privilege of coaching his daughter, Nicole Crabtree ’04 , in track and field, and cheering on his other daughter, Robyn Crabtree ’09 , who played water polo and swam. Over the years, his girls’ cross country teams won 23 district titles and two state champion- ships. In dual meets, the team sported an incredible 194-9 re- cord, and his athletes won first-team All-Dade recognition 27 times. To mark certain milestone victories, Crabtree shaved the milestone number into the side of his head. “Doc Crabtree never let me quit. Even when I actually did quit the track team my senior year, he didn’t accept the resignation. And it is a memory and lesson I have carried with me for many years. He also taught me the opening lines of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and that there is no better way to celebrate a victory at the state championships in Gainesville than a burger at Steak ’n Shake. Thanks Doc for always being such a positive influence in my life.” Patricia Tortolani ’97 Editor in chief of Ocean Drive magazine Science Club 1983: Mr. Zach Chasan, Steve Needell ’83, Julie Zahniser ’85, Margaret Chang ’83, Gordon Wood ’83, Asako Toyoda ’85, Catherine Malinin ’83, Michelle Carey ’85, Gary Goldbloom ’83, Stacey Tenen ’85, Marc Sanders ’84, Andrea Wang ’84, Yvette Sands ’85, Paul Wigoda ’85, Andre Williams ’85 and Dr. Robert Crabtree