Fred Crumb, a city of Redding wastewater treatment plant operator, died on June 16, the day after a 4,500-gallon, pressurized water tank exploded while he was next to it at the Clear Creek wastewater treatment plant in south Redding. Now, friends and family members are seeking help with a backyard landscaping project that Fred Crumb had only begun at this family’s Shasta Lake home.
“He and I were ripping out the whole backyard,” said Ron Jared, Crumb’s son-in-law. “It’s pretty raw for his wife to see all of that every day.” Crumb, who was 53, was known as a hardworking, detail-oriented handyman who could build or fix just about anything. Tackling a complete overhaul of his large backyard was not out of character.
Fred Crumb
Jared is working with a landscaping company to finalize plans for the approximately 5,000-square-foot backyard, which Crumb had envisioned as terraced and heavily planted. The project will need sod, shrubs, groundcover, irrigation lines and other materials, said Jared, who hopes to resume work on the project in about two weeks.
Kim Collins, who works in the city’s public works administration, said that Crumb, a seven-year city employee, was very well-liked and many of his co-workers have volunteered to assist with landscaping, irrigation and such.
“We’ve got people chomping at the bit and wanting to help out with this,” Jared said.
Anyone who would like to donate money may send a check to the Fred Crumb Memorial Fund, c/o U.S. Bank, 1110 Dana Drive, Redding, CA 96003. Anyone who would like to donate materials or provide labor should contact Jared at (530) 921-5628.
A memorial service for Crumb is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 26, at Tierra Oaks Golf Club in Redding. An avid golfer, Crumb was a member of the club. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Cathy, daughters Ashley and Stephanie, and four grandchildren.
On Today’s a la Carte Menu:
Highway 99 delays … Caltrans and Knife River Construction have resumed repaving Highway 99 between Los Molinos and Red Bluff. Motorists should expect delays of up to 20 minutes between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays through the end of July. Once repaving is complete, crews will begin work on replacement of Craig Creek Bridge, just north of Dairyville, a project that will involve 24-hour traffic control for at least one month.
Economic open house … The Center for Economic and Workforce Development at Shasta College has scheduled an open house for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. next Wednesday, June 29, at the center’s new location, 2990 Innsbruck Drive, in Redding. The center will be promoting its new facility and its programs for small businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, students and job-seekers. Call (530) 242-7630 for more information.
Paul Shigley is a freelance journalist based in Western Shasta County, CA. He may be reached at pauls.anewscafe@gmail.com.
A News Cafe, founded in Shasta County by Redding, CA journalist Doni Greenberg, is the place for people craving local Northern California news, commentary, food, arts and entertainment.
