On Saturday, September 4, 2010, the world of nutrition and integrative health lost a giant figure.
On that day, Robert Crayhon lost his battle with cancer. He was 49.
Let me tell you something about Robert, and why I’m writing about him in this newsletter.
If you’re reading this newsletter, then presumably, on some level, somewhere, my work has touched you or affected you or at least interested you enough for you to subscribe. That honors me, because it means- on some level, however small – I’ve made a difference in your life.
But behind every person who’s ever made a difference, there are teachers, mentors and important people without whom that person would not be doing what they’re doing. Robert Crayhon was such a person in my life- and I can honestly say that my work would not be what it is were it not for him.
A concert pianist, stand-up comedian, and ultimately, one of the smartest and most erudite nutritionists in the country, Robert taught hundreds of doctors, chiropractors, nutritionists and health professionals. He did it with wit, with a frighteningly sharp intelligence, with style and with passion. I cannot remember writing a book or an article- and I’ve written hundreds- without a little voice in my head reading over the final draft asking, “What would Robert think?”
Born in Mt Vernon, New York, April 30, 1961, he grew up in Pelham, NY and attended Iona Prep, Colgate University, Oberlin College, where he majored in classical piano studies. He attained an M.S. degree at SUNY, and then began a brilliant career as a nutritionist, living and teaching in Boulder, CO for several years. (Robert founded- and ran- the legendary Boulderfest Conference in Nutritional Medicine where some of the brightest and best minds came to speak, share, argue and learn.)
As the Cape Cod Times accurately put it, “His writing and clinical presentations were seasoned with his quick wit and innate sense of humor, allowing his audience to laugh as they learned.”
To give you a sense of who Robert was, check out what he wrote on the blog he started when he was first diagnosed with 4th stage colon cancer. It speaks far more eloquently about who he was than I could ever do:
If you are looking for something fun and exciting, don’t pick cancer. It’s boring. You’re tired, you don’t look your best, and have a paleness to you that people don’t seem to like. You become obsessed with your diet and treatment plan. What’s more, your stories aren’t interesting.
I was at a small gathering the other night and started telling of some of the exciting developments in my life of late. “Yes, well, I JUST got a great juicer on eBay for good price. I mean, the bidding the last day went like this…” The eyes of my listener glazed over. Then some chap who had just gotten back from Alaska started telling interesting stories about how rugged things are up there and what work he was doing for some oil company. So much for my juicer buying adventure.
So, looking for fun? Travel. Join a book club. Take a cooking class. Learn to ski. But cancer? I can’t recommend it. Not if you want fun stories to tell.
No wonder just about everyone who ever heard him speak or lecture would say, “That dude can make anything interesting!”
His research was impeccable. His book “Nutrition Made Simple” became an instant classic and to this day is the book I recommend to anyone who wants the best basic intro to nutrition available.
He was often referred to by friends and associates as the most ethical and moral person they knew.
Armed with a treasure chest of talents, Robert was an accomplished classical and jazz pianist, a stand-up comic, producer and co-writer of a spoof musical performed off-off Broadway, contributor to National Public Radio and television. He gave of himself in many ways to many people, and was truly loved.
He died at the home of his dear friends Jonathan and Linda Lizotte, about whom a word is in order. Robert and the Lizottes together founded Designs for Health—one of the supplement companies I most recommend and love. Around a decade or so ago, the Lizottes bought Robert out, and Robert started Crayhon Research, for all intents and purposes a “competing” company in the nutraceutical business.
In most businesses, that would not be the stuff out of which lifelong friendships are made.
Yet when Robert got sick, the first people to step up to the plate were the Lizottes. They flew with him to clinics in Mexico, took him into their home, and ultimately provided him with a comfortable, loving environment in which he could have hospice care and in which he ultimately passed away. That speaks volumes about who they are. Just like every other person who loved Robert, I will be forever grateful to the Lizottes.
I’ve already written the dedication to my next book, but you don’t have to wait for that book to read the dedication. It sums up everything I need to say about Robert:
“To Robert Crayhon:
Nutritionist, educator, writer, entertainer, artist and humanitarian.
Without you, I would not be doing what I’m doing”
Thank you Robert.
Rest in peace.
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
What a lovely dedication. I’m going to suggest that this book be put on the required book list for Hawthorn University’s holistic nutrition program. I already put it on my Amazon list of books to buy.
I am saddened at premature death of any human and ignorance is causing deaths of many people around the world. I am particularly saddened when someone who has been put on a ‘Guru’ pedestal dies from cancer which all research shows is an easy thing to avoid and just as easy to reverse. I am in this business because both of my parents died prematurely 24 years ago and get worried when even the ‘Gurus’ get it wrong. Their death inspired me to change my life. I trust this will be a lesson to everyone, Authority is not Truth, Truth is the Authority. May his death inspire many more to avoid the pitfalls of Authority.
Jonny, Great words about Robert!!! He will be missed. Lets talk about you coming on my show.
Best, Joe
I am heartsick over the loss of two of the best nutritional advocates in the field today, Robert Crayhon and last year, Shari Lieberman, both of whom have now died of cancer at very young ages. I have an M.S. in Nutrition from Univ. of Bridgeport where Shari was my teacher, and where both Robert Crayhon and the Lizottes were involved around the time of my attendance. I, too, went through a cancer experience (breast cancer) in the last two years. At basically the same age as Robert and Shari, it frightens me so much that two of my favorite and most knowledgeable colleagues have passed away from this terrible plague, in spite of their tremendous knowledge and total health advocacy.
This country has to clean up its act through realization and absolute change of all the environmental and nutritional processing hazards it has created and allowed. It’s certainly not “news”, but we live, eat, and breathe toxicity, and the death toll is rampant and evident at younger and younger ages.
I am so saddened, frightened and angered by all of this, and it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to maintain a positive attitude and sustain hopefulness for a brighter and healthier future, knowing that, for the most part, the toxicity we are forced to live with to one extent or another is largely unavoidable, despite our knowledge and best efforts to care for ourselves in an “enlightened” manner.
So sorry for Robert, Shari and all of us.
Jonny,
Yes… so sad about our good friend Robert leaving so early. I know we both loved and enjoyed him very much. There was absolutely no one else I’d rather be interviewed by than Robert because he always had that special way of ‘getting out of the way’ and simultaneously bringing out the very best in whomever he interviewed.
I’m not sure if you know this, Jonny, but even though Robert was in excruciating pain, when he knew he had only a few days left, he stopped taking his strong pain meds so he would be as ‘awake and aware’ as possible when he exited his physical body and entered whatever realm soul goes when the body dies. Pretty heroic in my book!
I didn’t know about Shari. I had the pleasure of teaching with her at the National CFIDS and Fibromyalgia yearly conference a number of years ago and she was such a wonderful, intelligent human being.
These lives of ours are so fragile and we need to live them fully so we have no regrets.
The contributions Robert and Shari made will keep living through all the doctors and nutritionists they helped to educate and all the patients that can now educate their family and friends.
Your friend,
Dr. Dean Raffelock
Jonny,
Thanks for such a touching tribute to our friend Robert. He meant so much to me and my family, especially my oldest daughter Tasya who absolutely adored him.
He gave me my big breaks by allowing me to speak at all those Boulderfests when no one else would. Robert taught me so much but nothing more important than always caring more about others than you care about yourself.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him and I doubt any will ever again in the future.
Along with you, Jonny, Robert inspired me to a be a nutritionist. I read and admired both your books for years before I decided to study nutrition. Robert always spoke very highly of you, and as you know, he was not an easy person to impress. You and he are two of the kindest, most giving people I have ever met. What a relief that my nutritional heros are also so generous and benevolent!
I remember once, during the Monday night Town Hall meetings Robert used to have in Manhattan, the group (mostly nutritionists) were talking about how challenging the profession could be. I was about to begin the Bridgeport Master’s program at the time, and must have looked discouraged by the conversation. “Oh no, this is a great time to be a nutritionist!” Robert said. “Just do what you love, and the right people will come along.”
Robert always offered hope and encouragement. He raised the bar on nutrition, and gave us a high standard as nutritionists to uphold. It’s up to us to carry it forward.
Robert Crayhon was a-mazing! First Shari Lieberman, now him?
This news shocks me to the core! I first heard of him when I got
a dvd by him on fish oil, & was very impressed! I am so touched by your beautiful words Johnny, it made me cry!
Beautifully written, Jonny. Thank you. I feel very blessed to have known Robert and to have benefited so richly from his many gifts. I will miss him.
Robert inspired me to become a nutritionist as well. He was one of the rare voices of reason in a field filled with dogma and unexamined opinion. Plus, he was funny and engaging! I owe much of what i know and a large share of my passion for nutrition to him. In addition to his smart, deeply well reasoned and clinically relevant perspective on nutrition he was a wonderful person. There’s no one’s perspective i value as much to replace him. He will be sorely missed.
As a result of your inspiring words about Robert Crayhorn I ordered and just read his NUTRITION MADE SIMPLE. What a brilliant, straight-shooter he was.
Thank you.
Jonny, that was a beautiful tribute. I cried as I read it. I attended almost every Boulderfest and have been a huge fan of Robert’s work as well as of Designs for Health and the Lizottes. So much integrity there! I try to find the small moments of grace that are inevitably embedded in these tragedies. I then try to focus on these moments and remember them with fondness, almost as if they are snapshots frozen in time. One such moment was at Boulderfest, during a break. Robert had found a piano and started to play it. Soon, there were many of us sitting around listening to him play as masterfully as he did and after a session of playing a string of different tunes, he asked for requests. Noone said anything. But I couldn’t hold back – I asked him if he knew my absolute favorite song in the world: “Someone to Watch Over Me”. Without skipping a beat, he transitioned into playing it and he played it beautifully. THAT is how I like to remember Robert. His legacy now watches over all of us.
You’ve captured Robert completely and I thank you for being both eloquent and accurate. I’m Robert’s mother and I read your blog entry not just with tears in my eyes, but with joy in my heart. Bobby gave all of himself to everything he did and to most people he knew needed him. It was as if he was put on earth to do a job and do it well. And he delivered, big-time. In the days before he died, he healed his mother as well.
My wife read Nuturition Made Simple many years ago and strongly suggested I read it. Between the two of us I’m guessing we read it 8 times. His death hit me like a ton of bricks. His spirit lives on!
I learned Robert had passed only today from a friend with whom I had attended two Boulderfests. I too was shocked to the core! What an enormous loss for all who knew him. I too cried as I read Jonny’s beautiful tribute. What an amazing, multi-talented man he was. I’ve never forgotten the transformation of my energy and sense of well being through putting into practice his diet and supplement recommendations in The Carnitine Miracle. I can’t wait to become acquainted with Nutrition Made Simple and to recommend it to patients. I will always remember the inspiration he was to me.
Thank you Jonny for your amazing tribute.
Robert was an amazing man who inspired me to have a career in nutrition. He was a strong leader and mentor to me for 15 years. I was fortunate enough to be his first research assistant in Boulder, and I was honored to become his good friend as we worked side by side for years.
His ability to make his students laugh hysterically while teaching advanced nutrition topics was outstanding. I am so deeply saddened that he is no longer here with us, but I feel his strong spirit within my heart and within my spirit when I teach others what he taught me.
Robert was a brilliant man and special human being who made a tremendous impact in my life as my mentor. I will cherish him forever.
Why in the world would anyone want to follow his bad nutrition advice? Read the China Study. Animal products kill. He promoted a meat based diet. Come on people, get a grip on reality
Wow, Last time I saw Robert in person was 5 years ago, but he emailed me the end of 2009. We lost touch and recently I tried emailing him again, only to never get a response and finally googled his name to find out he had died last year.
He was a good man. He had a rough past and many demons that haunted him, but he was a good man and steadfastly tried to support me in every endeavor. He was a good friend even if I didn’t get to see him in the last couple years.
Im so sad this has happened to him. Dont really have the words. I hope he is free of his pain, wherecer he is…mental and physical.
I only learned of his passing a month ago. Robert was one of the smartest, wittiest and kindest souls in medicine and nutrition. It is a great irony that such an intelligent fellow should have succumbed to a preventable disease. He will be greatly missed.
As a former Speaker at Boulderfest and a guest expert on the medical side effects of Artificial Sweeteners, on his WOR radio show, I am saddened to hear of the untimely passing of one so talented and giving. Our friend, Robert, paid us the highest compliment when he said on his show: “Mary Nash Stoddard is a National Treasure!” I’ve since then tried hard to live up to that title, but often fall short of the lofty standard set for me by my friend. Who will now carry the banner he reluctantly relinquished in death? I honor you and the work you did to save lives, Robert Crayhon. May we all learn from your example of caring about others. – Mary Nash Stoddard/author Deadly Deception Story of Aspartame
Almost a year late, I am saddened and shocked to learn of Robert Crayhon’s death from colon cancer. I admired and learned so much from Robert. I always thought of colon cancer as a disease that could be avoided with proper nutrition. Robert may have as well. I am 50, and tomorrow I plan to schedule a checkup I am long overdue for. It is easy and arrogant to think, I know so much about health and nutrition that I do not need the same checkups as everyone else. If a mentor like Robert could succumb to cancer so young, it is time for us to stop bullshitting ourselves. I will always remember the generosity of Robert’s spirit, his sense of justice, wisdom and at times righteous anger. Though I had not seen him in some time, I will miss him.
Robert is a modern day axial sage. I still listen to him on a daily basis to keep his message alive. His material needs to be instituted and available to unbrainwash all the new crops of nutritionists graduating from colleges across America.
After following Gary Null for 25 years, my Mom passed away from aggressive breast cancer. She also lived a very healthy lifestyle and had a great quality of life to the age of 73. Without great advocates for health like Robert, Shari and Gary she may have only lived to 60 like her sister and cousin who also died of breast cancer. We tried so many alternative therapies for my Mom for 2 years. None seemed to work. Does anyone know what treatments were used by Shari and Robert to fight there own cancer?
My Mom’s sister and cousin elected to use only Chemo and lived a painful 2 years . My Mom lived 2 years playing golf, going to Argentina for Tango Dancing.The treatments were gentle on her but also on the cancer.
On the eve of the 1 year anniversary of Robert’s passing I happened on this blog while surfing and searching. Thank you for your moving tribute. I learned more at Boulder Fest in the early 2000′s than I did in many years of formal education prior to that, or likely will in years to come. It was such a great place to hear experts with opposing points of view (like Drs. Cordain and Campbell, Ravnskov and Hu, just to name a few) discuss their research and opinions openly and honestly, and to form ones own views more completely, and then to bring that invaluable information back to the exam room and share it, through improved patient care. Thank you Robert and thank you Jonny.
Blessings to you all.
I wondered about that myself Dr. Smith. Why would anyone want to follow the nutritional advice of Robert Crayon? And why would anyone want to follow the nutritional advice of another giant in the world of nutrition who also died quite young from cancer, Shari Lieberman? You’re obviously a vegan and proponent of the vegetarian diet given the credit for less disease in China. What about the Inuit Indians and Eskimos who eat the traditional diets of almost all animal protein and fat like their forefathers did and never have heart disease of cancer? We are all different. I am not Chinese. I assume by your name that you aren’t either. My maternal grandmother lived to the ripe old age of 94 eating pork bacon and fried eggs every morning. And that, my friend, is reality.
Dr. Jim Lane and Dr. Smith are unprofessional in your words and Robert had knowledge far beyond your range. You both need to be backhanded. Robert was the best nutritionist to ever live.
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