Acclaimed doctor Charles Crutchfield III passes

Renowned Minnesota dermatologist Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD passed away on the morning of June 21, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was 62 years old. 

He was born on January 17, 1961, in Minneapolis. We join his family and many friends, colleagues, and patients in mourning the loss of this inspiring and generous spirit.

Dr. Crutchfield III came from a notable family of doctors and his contributions to the community were many, both through his medical practice and his many volunteer activities. He was a board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a Benedict Distinguished Visiting Professor of biology at Carleton College.

He also had a private practice, Crutchfield Dermatology in Eagan, MN. He specialized in skin care for people of color.

Crutchfield III’s father, Dr. Charles E. Crutchfield, Sr., told the MSR, “My son was compassionate, intelligent, and generous to a fault. He was a fine doctor, a great man, and a humanitarian, who made it a point to treat all of his patients personally.”

When describing his son’s skills as a physician, Crutchfield, Sr. said, “Charles wasn’t just a doctor, he was an artist. A geometric artist who saw the skin as a canvas.”

Among the other things people may not have known about Dr. Crutchfield III, explains his father, is that he was “a skilled gardener, connoisseur of fine foods, and an outstanding student-athlete at Minnehaha Academy.”

Dr. Crutchfield III received his MD and master’s degree in molecular biology and genomics from the Mayo Clinic. He was selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine. Minnesota Medicine recognized Dr. Crutchfield III as one of the 100 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders in Minnesota.

He was the team dermatologist for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild, and Lynx., an active member of both the American and National Medical Associations and president of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians.

Known by friends and family for his bigheartedness, Dr. Crutchfield III encouraged and helped many young people of color pursue a career in medicine. Yet, we’re reminded by his brother Christopher Crutchfield, a Twin Cities attorney, that he loved and cared about everyone.

“When my brother was much younger, maybe nine years old, a man said to him, ‘Why don’t you go trick-or-treat in your own neighborhood.’”

Years later, this same man’s son was in medical school. “My brother went out of his way to befriend and help this young man,” recalled Christopher Crutchfield, “He fought racism with kindness, wisdom, and being the bigger man.”

Dr. Crutchfield III was also a talented writer, authoring medical textbooks, journal and magazine articles, and children’s books, while sharing his knowledge and skills with the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) and its readers. 

His commitment to the Black Press and his desire to keep the community informed on matters of health and wellness were evidenced through his service as MSR’s senior medical advisor. His devotion to publishing hundreds of “Doctor’s Advice” columns over many years has been of immeasurable value to the community’s well-being. Dr. Crutchfield III was always a cheerful, upbeat source of ideas, encouragement, and knowledge for MSR’s publishers and staff.

He had a talent for explaining complex ideas in clear, easily understood language, which is why his advice columns became very popular. He also recruited several other local Black physicians to contribute articles ranging from cancer and heart disease to sickle cell anemia and alopecia—all Black doctors writing for primarily Black readers, something unprecedented in Minnesota.  

During the Covid pandemic, Dr. Crutchfield III and his “Doctor’s Advice” partners kept the community continuously updated with the latest developments in prevention and treatment options. Fears and misgivings about masks, social distancing, and vaccinations were openly addressed with facts and science and professional advice.

This lifesaving information provided in a time of great need deserves recognition as one of Dr. Crutchfield III’s outstanding contributions to Minnesota’s Black community and the well-being of everyone he touched.

“He did more in 30 years of medical practice than most people will do in a lifetime,” noted Crutchfield, Sr., adding that “Even from his hospital bed, he was thinking of his obligation to people, and asked me to represent the family at an event for his foundation.”

“Charles once told me that the most important thing in his life was to be a good father to his three children,” recalled Christopher Crutchfield. “To support them in their dreams. And, without question, he’s accomplished that and then some.”

Perhaps Christopher’s favorite story about his brother is when, as a medical student in Rochester, Charles noticed a young woman sitting on a bench waiting for the bus. Thinking he’d like to know this girl, Charles approached her, laughed Christopher, “laying down what must have been his best game.” He walked away with Laurie’s number before the bus arrived.

Charles and Laurie would ultimately get married, and when they purchased their first house in the Twin Cities, Charles returned to the city of Rochester where he purchased the bench Laurie sat on that day and placed it in their family garden. “That’s just who my brother was,” Christopher said. “He was love.”

The family will hold a private funeral service for Dr. Crutchfield III. Plans are underway for a Celebration of Life to publicly honor Dr. Charles Crutchfield III later this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks the community to donate to the Crutchfield Dermatology Foundation at www.crutchfielddermatology.com/foundation.

Tony Kiene contributed to this story.

This story was updated on June 25, 2023.