Former staff, prestigious artist Crite dies at 97

Allan Rohan Crite, a renowned painter and Harvard Extension School alumnus, passed away on Sept. 6. He was 97.

Famous for his depictions of black community life in Boston, Crite, whose work has appeared in museums throughout the country, earned his A.B.E. in 1968. He also worked part time at the Extension School’s Grossman Library from 1974 until 1989 and received the 350th Harvard University Anniversary Medal in 1986.

That same year, the Extension School and the Harvard Extension Alumni Association established the Annamae and Allan R. Crite Prize in honor of Crite and his mother, Annamae, who regularly attended courses for more than 50 years and encouraged her son to pursue studies at the Extension School. Crite Prizes are awarded to Extension School degree recipients who demonstrate “singular dedication to learning and the arts.”