The entire town mourns the passing of Wilton’s Chuck Crawford, a man of integrity and generosity, who quietly and without need for public recognition helped support and sustain Wilton, the town he loved, for many decades.

From his obituary:

“Dr. Charles “Chuck” Kimball Crawford, a brilliant physicist, former Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor, entrepreneur, pilot, and dedicated philanthropist, passed away on May 9, 2026, in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Born on July 9, 1937, in New Jersey, Chuck was a man of uncompromising principles and profound generosity whose life’s work was defined by his dedication to Kimball Physics, Inc.”

…

“His commitment to his community was reflected in his extensive local philanthropy. In 2014, he personally championed the restoration of “The Dummy,” a historic 1920s traffic signal in the center of Wilton. That same year, he purchased the historic 1850 Wilton Falls Building to protect downtown Wilton from incompatible development. He used the space to provide rent-free homes for the Open Cupboard Food Pantry, the Second Congregational Church’s thrift shop (Second Glances), and the Wilton Main Street Association. In 2023, he further demonstrated his devotion to the town by offering the entire building as a gift to the Town of Wilton. A dedicated conservationist, Chuck consistently supported the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and numerous local causes across Wilton, Peterborough, and Greenville.”

How fitting that the “Dummy” was recently refurbished and reinstalled on Main Street just this past week. His legacy will hopefully live on in the future development of the Wilton Falls Building.

Read more about this amazing man below:

Chuck Crawford's Full Obituary

Interview with Chuck by Jessie Salisbury for the Wilton Profiles series