Charles "Kit" Crittenden

Dr. Charles “Kit” Crittenden III of Lakeview Terrace, California passed away in the early hours of Sunday, May 21, 2023. He was 89. Dr. Crittenden, who often went by “Kit,” was born on November 11, 1933. He grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina and learned to love chess, reading, and the study of philosophy at a young age. Kit went on to complete a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He then completed his doctorate in Philosophy at Cornell University. Charles became a published scholar, completing two books in his field as well as presenting his work on Wittgenstein in Cambridge and Oxford University in England and in Austria. Dr. Crittenden was recognized as a Chess Master with the U.S. Chess Federation and served in the U.S Navy. He taught at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida State University in Tallahassee, and the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Dr. Crittenden completed his teaching career at California State University Northridge as a tenured professor of philosophy. For forty years he was known for his engaging and thoughtful dialogic teaching style. In this, he invited his students to reflect on unique perspectives, develop independent thinking, and further critical thought for the purpose of social and political dialectic advance. Dr. Crittenden was known for his generosity and philanthropy to a multitude of causes. These included non-profit agencies devoted to anti-war, non-violence, social justice, eco-feminist, earth-based, and first nation or indigenous groups. He was an active member of the southern California Green party, concerned about the environment and sustainability, and a passionate advocate of civil rights. Dr. Crittenden loved opera, folk and classical music, alternative and local bookstores, and the diversity and beauty represented by the complexity of nature. In his final decade he worked continuously to complete a third book on social democracy. Dr. Crittenden is survived by his daughter Dr. Felicity Rosencranz of Santa Cruz, California; his granddaughter and grandson, Eli Wilder Rosencranz and Jacob Michael Rosencranz; his son, Dr. Charles Christopher Crittenden IV, of Lubec, ME; former wife and mother of his children, Faith Bell Jackson of Santa Cruz; his sister Ann Lane Witt of Richmond, VA and her family, and his longtime friend, Bergeth Tregenza, of Pasadena, CA. Dr Crittenden was predeceased by his brother Robert Hinton Crittenden and youngest son, Elisha Gudger Crittenden, Esq. The family would like to express deep gratitude and appreciation for Dr. Crittenden’s caregivers, including Laura Redd, Jeannie Roones and her associates, and Rosie and John Gryspos of Alexandria Victoria Assisted Living of Santa Cruz. Family and friends will be invited to attend a memorial celebration either in person or online to be arranged after cremation. For further information, please contact Felicity Rosencranz at [email protected] Charles “Kit” Crittenden touched many lives over the course of 89 years of life. His was a mission of open-mindedness, careful thinking, discernment, reason and a desire for peace and healing of all people of the world and the world in which they live. His legacy is to invite you to open your eyes, heart, and mind to do the same. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dr. Crittenden’s honor to the following listed below under Donations.