David Crowell

David Crowell, an artist and resident of Quogue for 34 years, died on Saturday, January 17. He was 93.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Mr. Crowell served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He attended the Yale School of Drama, the Northwestern School of Speech, the Sorbonne and Bennington College. After a short stint on Broadway, he returned to Bennington College as a drama instructor, and then taught drama at Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson.

Also working at different times as an advertising executive and a restaurant owner, he also held a notable career as a fabric designer working for designers such as Schiapearelli, Lilly Dache, Brooke Cadwallder, Bronzini, Dali and Mr. John. He eventually started his own firm, which was the subject of several articles, including a feature in the Saturday Evening Post.

Additionally, his artwork included copper and pewter weather vanes, painted furniture, chess sets and jewelry. He was also well known for his trompe l’oeil boxes.

Mr. Crowell exhibited at the Elaine Benson Gallery in Bridgehampton, the Quogue Library, both the Designer Showhouse and the Hampton Square Gallery in Westhampton, Gallery North in Setauket, the Trompe L’Oeil Gallery in New York City, Park-McCullough house in North Bennington, Vermont, and the Heritage House in Hamilton, Bermuda. His works are held in private collections throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.

A devoted gardener, he was renowned for his topiary of yew and juniper, and The New York Times ran a feature story on his garden in the paper’s Home section.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Joan Crowell of Quogue; a daughter, Honora Bertelsen; five stepchildren, Mark, Teru, Rachel and Nora Simon, and Juno Duenas; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by two sons, Brion and Michael; and a daughter, Consuelo.

Following cremation, interment was private.