Robbie "Archie" Irwin
Trying to sum up in words what Robert "Archie" Irwin meant to the Crossmen is an almost impossible task. He did so much for the corps in his two decades plus of service, but in the end, he was probably best known as the "beloved grumpy old man" of the corps. It just wouldn't be a Crossmen tour without Archie, always there giving his all to the members of the corps he loved.
Archie was always a team player who worked for the kids. Since the very beginning of his involvement in the Crossmen, he was never a "me" worker. He was a tour manager, a long time member of the corps administration, and lastly, a most loved volunteer bus driver for many years. His dedicated efforts through the years earned him the 1997 DCI Volunteer of the Year Award as well as the Spirit of the Crossmen Award.
In an activity where egos are too often the only reason for involvement, Archie stood out as just the opposite. He did it all, and he did it for the kids. The marching members knew they could count on Archie for his counseling, his jokes, and his use of "colorful expressions and language" on the bus. Archie brought to the corps a sense of stability, a wealth of knowledge, a love and passion for the activity, and perhaps more important, a sense of what it means to be a Crossmen. Although he tried not to show his feelings for the members, they saw right through him and knew that they were #1 in his eyes and in his heart.
The Crossmen are proud to honor Robert "Archie" Irwin as a distinguished member of the Crossmen Hall of Fame.
Archie was always a team player who worked for the kids. Since the very beginning of his involvement in the Crossmen, he was never a "me" worker. He was a tour manager, a long time member of the corps administration, and lastly, a most loved volunteer bus driver for many years. His dedicated efforts through the years earned him the 1997 DCI Volunteer of the Year Award as well as the Spirit of the Crossmen Award.
In an activity where egos are too often the only reason for involvement, Archie stood out as just the opposite. He did it all, and he did it for the kids. The marching members knew they could count on Archie for his counseling, his jokes, and his use of "colorful expressions and language" on the bus. Archie brought to the corps a sense of stability, a wealth of knowledge, a love and passion for the activity, and perhaps more important, a sense of what it means to be a Crossmen. Although he tried not to show his feelings for the members, they saw right through him and knew that they were #1 in his eyes and in his heart.
The Crossmen are proud to honor Robert "Archie" Irwin as a distinguished member of the Crossmen Hall of Fame.
