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Scott Crane, 23, learned fine cooking while in hospice care
Updated: September 24, 2012 6:25AM
Scott Crane, 23, of Northbrook, the recipient of the 2011 Robert Ross Muscular Dystrophy Association Achievement Award for the state of Illinois and a budding chef and mentor, passed away Saturday evening.
Crane, a graduate of Glenbrook North High School, was the co-founder and inspiration behind the charity, “In Chefs Hands — Food Therapy for the Soul.” The scheduled launch event for the charity, from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Old Town Social, 455 West North Ave., Chicago, still took place in his honor.
Despite severe limitations the disease imposed on his physical abilities, Crane soothed his soul by immersing himself in everything food-related and volunteering at the Midwest Hospice Care Center in Glenview, where he worked as a mentor motivating others with disabilities.
“He always put others before himself,” said Teena Crane, Scott’s mother. “It was never about him and it was always about others.”
At the time of his death, Crane, an avid food-lover with a passion for cooking, was putting together the Midwest Hospice Care Center Cookbook, a compilation of hundreds of favorite recipes to be sold to support muscular dystrophy.
Known as “Mr. Determinator” for his never-ending smile, his always-positive outlook toward life, and his ability to accomplish every goal he set, Crane never let his diagnosis of a rare form of the disease known as centronuclear myopathy stand in the way of courageously reaching his dreams.
On Saturday, the same day Crane passed away, his family received notification in the mail that Crane had been chosen as the winner of the prestigious 2011-12 National Robert Ross Muscular Dystrophy Association Personal Achievement Award.
Crane’s life will be honored during the annual Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon hosted by Jerry Lewis in Las Vegas Sept. 4.
Crane’s cousin, Cory Gutwillig of Chicago, said Crane would be remembered by his contagious smile that touched hundreds of lives.
“He would sit on his computer everyday and talk to people from around the world. You can see (his effect on people) by the outpouring of emotions and condolences on his Facebook page right now,” Gutwillig said. “He was pretty amazing like that. Despite his disease, he wanted others to smile and be happy — he never complained and he always put on a happy face and worked to help others.”
Crane is survived by his parents, Teena and Michael Crane, his sister Lindsay Crane, his grandparents Charlotte “Nor” and Norman “Paka” Boyer, the late Elaine and the late Benjamin Crane. He is also the nephew of Alison and Warren Meister, Judy and Gary Gutwillig, and the cousin of Matthew, Adam, Corey and Bradley.
Services for Scott Crane was held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Temple Jeremiah, 937 Happ Road, Northbrook.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in his memory can be donated to Crane’s charity, “In Chefs Hands — Food Therapy for the Soul” at www.inchefshands.org.
