Obituary of Robert Dayl Croskery

Robert Dayl Croskery died March 28, 2024, at his residence in Charlotte. The grace and courage he showed during his long, debilitating illness were an inspiration to those around him. As his body weakened and capabilities waned, he seldom complained and he stuck fiercely to his occupational and physical therapy routines to preserve as much strength as he could.

Robert was born in Washington, D.C., on August 16, 1945. He attended the University of Maryland, earning a degree in criminal justice in 1967. He was a sergeant in the US Air Force and a police officer in Montgomery County, Maryland, adjacent to Washington. His law enforcement assignments included undercover work, which scared his mom, as Robert’s father was also often away on classified assignments for the Defense Department. From law enforcement he went into corporate security for several banks, including Nations Bank, Bank of America and Wells Fargo, rising to become a senior vice president. As banks consolidated during his career, he often had to lay off people in his departments. He was so compassionate and sympathetic about it that many of the people he laid off asked how he was doing emotionally. Following one bank merger, Robert moved from Washington, D.C., to the banking hub of Charlotte.

Robert’s parents, the former Lucille Weir and Dayl Croskery, met and married while she was a teacher and he a principal in Manistique, Michigan. Robert was named for his uncle, who was killed in WWII. Robert’s late cousin, John Robert Males, was also named after his uncle. Robert was an only child, but is survived by cousins David Benidt of Minneapolis, Michael Benidt of Denver, and Bruce Benidt of Charlottesville, Virginia. He had many friends, including at favorite restaurants 300 East and The Palm. And the residents of his building, who all moved in to the new building at Sharon Towers at roughly the same time, have enjoyed his company, have looked out for him and will miss him. All who know him will miss his dry humor, the sparkle in his eyes, and his smile, which was radiant even when weak. And some who heard him bark to announce himself over the years will miss that surprising greeting.

Robert loved to travel, down the Mississippi in a steamboat, to the Maryland shores in summer, to Buenos Aires one New Years, and to Key West in many Januarys. He was an informative tour guide through Georgetown, Washington, Charlotte, and the Virginia countryside. And he kept his hand in policing, serving on a citizen advisory board for Charlotte-Mecklenburg law enforcement. He was a voracious reader, who switched to audiobooks when his eyes and hands began to fail him.

The leaders and staff of The Sharon worked hard to keep Robert in his own home as his disease progressed. The caregivers gave him compassion and great care, making his last years as good as they could be. And the hospice staff was extraordinarily caring, helping not just Robert but his family, friends and caregivers through his last journey. When he finally laid his burden down, his face showed peace and rest.

Online condolences may be made at HankinsandWhittington.com

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