How many years did you compete?  53 years

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Between what year and what year did you compete?  1970 - 2022

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What is the approximate total number of meets you competed in? 180+

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List your favorite meets you competed in.

• USPF Heart of Dixie – 1979

• Mobile Open  - 1981 (The 1st drug free powerlifting meet in powerlifting history)

• Brother Bennett Memorial Men’s Master National Powerlifting Championship

• USAPL Bench Press Nationals – Highest bench press in his career – 496.0#

• IPF World maters Powerlfting Championship - 1st place

 

What’s the highest classification you achieved? Master

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What’s the highest score you achieved? 406.23 Wilks

 

What are some of your powerlifting accomplishments? 

• Co-Meet Director with Vince Kilborn, hosting the Mobile Open the nations first drug-tested powerlifting competition in Mobile, AL at the Days Inn in August 22, 1981.

• Being one of the founding member of the ADFPA, the first drug free powerlifting organization.

• Writing the first drug-free declaration that was never challenged.

• Being member of the Master’s National Team and representing the USA several times in international competition.

 

Who are some of the most memorable lifters/people for you in your career?

Brother Bennett, Vince Kilborn, Larry Maile, Louie Simmons. His family also deserves recognition. His father, RJ “Montana Bob” Crawford, and his mother, Bernie Crawford, instilled in him the discipline that became a foundation of his success in powerlifting. His wife, Dr. Lisa Lloyd Crawford, whom he loved deeply, held a special place in his life. As the oldest of seven children, Robert also deeply loved his brothers and sister; Tom, Jim, Mark, John, Anne and Pat.

 

Here is a story from Tim Wright, his nephew, about Robert talking to Louie about powerlifting.

I’d like to share a story from when Uncle Robert was coaching me.

Robert was very methodical in his approach to coaching young powerlifters. He planned my workouts the day before, carefully basing them on the previous week’s lifts. The time and effort he devoted to helping me improve were incredible, and I wanted to give him something for his birthday that showed how much I appreciated him.

Finding a gift was difficult because he already had everything he needed. So I called Westside Barbell, and Doris Simmons answered. I asked if Louie might be willing to call Robert on his birthday. Doris thought it was a thoughtful request but said, “Louie doesn’t do that.” I explained how much Robert had done for me and that this was the only birthday gift I could think of that would truly mean something to him.
On Robert’s birthday, Louie came through. He called Robert to wish him a happy birthday, and they had a great conversation about different powerlifting competitions and the Westside Barbell products Robert used everyday.

Robert later told the entire family that getting a birthday call from Louie Simmons was like getting a call from Vince Lombardi. It was a simple gesture that meant so much to him and a wonderful way for me to thank him for everything he had done for me.

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With your name as part of the history of powerlifting in Alabama, what would you like to be most remembered for?

Helping found the ADFPA, the first drug free powerlifting federation in Mobile, AL. Always being willing to help lifters along their journey. Being willing to help anyway possible to promote the sport he loved.

 

What words of wisdom would you like to pass down to future powerlifters?

From his nephew Tim Wright:

Robert taught me to trust the process. I always wanted to load up the plates and push harder, but his signature phrase when training me was, “Too much volume!” That lesson has stayed with me, whether I’m in the gym attempting a heavy lift or at work wanting to keep going. He helped me understand that giving your mind and body time to recover is just as important as the effort itself. Rest days matter.

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He also taught me the value of documenting progress. He kept track of my lifts and personal records, showing me how consistent work added up over time. I can still picture him sitting in his chair in his upstairs gym, encouraging me as the weights got heavier.

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His dogs were always roaming around while I trained. One in particular, a terrier named Little Man, liked to watch from a couch near Robert’s chair. One day, while I was attempting a PR bench press, the bar stalled on my chest. Little Man ran over and started licking my face, which gave me all the motivation I needed to get that bar up and away from him! Robert let out an incredible laugh and retold that story many times afterward.

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For future powerlifters, I would pass along what Robert taught me: trust the process, respect recovery, track your progress, and enjoy the people and moments along the way.

 

What are some of your contributions to sport of powerlifting? 

State Chair, Meet Director and pertinent meets, Judge & level & Feds, ways you contributed to other meets (announcer, score table, spot/loader, expediter)

Meet Director for several meets including the nations first drug-tested meet with Vince Kilborn in Mobile, AL in June of 1981. USAPL National Judge. IPF Cat 1 International Judge. Advisor and legal counsel for the USAPL for many years.

 

Final thoughts on Robert’s powerlifting career and journey from his nephew, Tim Wright.

 

I believe Robert truly enjoyed the people, competition, and brotherhood that USA Powerlifting provided. He and Brother Bennett were among the organization’s five founding members, and I believe his commitment to fair competition without performance-enhancing drugs was a major reason he remained dedicated to the sport.

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Robert’s accomplishments reflected the hard work and discipline he brought to the gym every day. He would often tell me that you could lift weights your entire life and feel great doing it. He always played by the rules, and protecting the integrity of the sport was deeply important to him.

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After retiring from a successful career as a circuit court judge, Robert traded one bench for another. Retirement gave him more time to pursue his passion for powerlifting and give back to USA Powerlifting as a competition judge, bringing that same commitment to fairness and integrity to the lifting platform.