Bert S. Crane Sr. remembered for heart of service

Patience, persistence and integrity.

That was the life motto of Bert Stephen Crane, Sr. and the mantra he passed on to his children and grandchildren.

Crane was a cattle rancher and walnut farmer in Merced County, but he also was a man of service, involved with countless boards and organizations in the county and the state. He is perhaps best known for his service on the Mercy Medical Center’s governing board and his role in building the new hospital in north Merced.

Crane passed away Sunday. He was 84.

His daughter Karen Crane-McNab said Crane had a “fantastic work ethic” and a heart for service.

“He had a kind heart,” Crane-McNab said. “He never complained or said a bad word about anybody. He was humble and didn’t like his name or accomplishments made known to others.”

Crane was born in Turlock on Nov. 29, 1931. He spent his childhood on his family’s cattle ranch on Bert Crane Road, which was named after his grandfather.

When he was young, his family moved to across the street from Merced’s Applegate Park, home to the Rotary Scout Hut. The hut, along with a Boy Scout flashlight he owned, inspired Crane to join the Boy Scouts. Crane went on to become an Eagle Scout and earned the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 1988.

Crane graduated from Merced High School and went on to attend Stanford and UC Davis, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture economics. In 1986, he was honored by UC Davis with the Distinguished Achievement Award for his involvement with agriculture and governmental programs. In 1991 his name was added to Memorial Hall at UC Davis.

He returned to the Valley to work on his family’s cattle ranch, Sunrise Ranch. He was the fifth generation of Cranes to carry on the tradition of raising cattle.

Crane married his wife, Nancy, in 1957. They had three children together: Bert A. Crane Jr., Mary Crane Couchman and Crane-McNab. Crane also is survived by seven grandchildren.

Crane-McNab said she cherishes her memories eating at the Red Caboose in Oakdale with her father. The family would rise as early as 2 a.m. to work the cattle, coming just over the mountain peak on horseback as the sun rose.

“That was our holy time with dad,” Crane-McNab said. “He was a cowboy.”

Crane, a member of the Rancheros Visitadores, enjoyed weeklong trail rides to the Santa Ynez Valley with friends and politicians who were part of the invitation-only riding club. Rep. Jeff Denham honored Crane on his 80th birthday in Congress, telling an anecdote about Crane using his rope to lasso the late Ronald Reagan in the outhouse on one of the trips. Reagan also personally congratulated Crane on his Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.

Crane also was a walnut farmer and was named Diamond Walnuts Top 20 Service Grower in 1983. Crane’s walnuts were sold in 17 countries across the globe.

Crane’s stepfather, James Parker, was a doctor, introducing Crane to health care and medicine at a young age. Crane dedicated more than 50 years of service to what is now Mercy Medical Center, serving on the lay board, foundation board and governing board.

“He was single-handedly instrumental in us getting the new hospital,” said Walt Adams, who served on the governing board alongside Crane. “I give Bert a lion’s share of credit for that hospital being in existence.”

When the governing board was considering renovations for the hospital on 13th Street, Crane suggested looking for land to build a new hospital, Adams said. Crane found the parcel of land off G Street and then appealed relentlessly to Dignity Health’s president for funding and support to build the hospital.

“At that point in time, 10 years ago, there were no new hospitals being built in California – none,” Adams said. “That was just unheard of because of the cost.

“He was very passionate about the hospital and health care in Merced County.”

Marty Nambatac, the secretary for the governing board, also credited Crane as key in building the new hospital.

“I think Mercy was his passion,” she said. “He did a lot for Mercy.”

Nambatac knew Crane since she began her work at Mercy more than 30 years ago.

“He was a very honest and very proud man,” she said. “There are nothing but good things to say about Bert.”

Crane also served 28 years on the Merced County Planning Commission, was a member of the Central Presbyterian Church, the California Cattlemen’s Association and multiple boards at UC Davis.

This story was originally published March 16, 2016 at 7:13 PM with the headline "Bert S. Crane Sr. remembered for heart of service."