David Crook, Mission District artist and astrologer, dies at 69

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His Mission District garage was always open to tourists and neighbors alike. “My favorite memories were when he would walk by and drop a, ‘how’s your love life going?’ And he would then just laugh and walk away,” said Nikki Greene, a photographer who rented a studio space in David’s garage in 2020.

Crook, who died in his sleep on Aug. 3 at the age of 69, was remembered by family, friends, and neighbors as a gentle person — a man who lived on 23rd Street for decades and cultivated deep friendships with those nearby.

“He loved showing off his place, and the artwork on the walls, and the garden in the back, and introducing new people to each other,” said Elizabeth Brown, a neighbor and longtime friend.  “You could always pop in, and you knew you’re going to enjoy yourself. He was just so easy to be with.”

Just outside the garage door was a small garden boasting a bright red poinsettia, a veritable icon on the block. John Talbott, who lives two houses down from Crook and knew him for more than 30 years, looked forward to the bush flowering each Christmas. 

“Every year, we’d say,‘Okay, David’s still with us,’” said Talbott.

He walked often, neighbors said, delighted to stumble upon scrap wood or a piece of old canvas on the street. “He found lots of good things,” said Brown. Crook would then take the seemingly useless piece of trash home, and create art. “He put a pair of shoes that he cut up and put on a board” to make a piece of art, Brown recalled.

As a boy, Crook watched sci-fi movies and read Doc Savage novels. His youngest brother, Scott, recalled watching “Star Trek” with Crook “all the time,” and said the hours in front of the TV may have catalyzed his oldest brother’s interest in the stars.

But he was no scrawny teen. Crook was a natural athlete, and the brothers enjoyed playing football, basketball and baseball in the street of their Sunset District home. That love of sports stayed with him: He would often practice his swing with a baseball bat outside of his studio, and bonded with several neighbors over their shared love of the Giants and wrestling matches.

Young adult life took the six Crook siblings in different directions, but “We were always happy to see each other,” said Scott. It was, he said, a “‘pick up wherever you left off’ type of thing.”

Despite his fondness for sidewalk “trash,” the artist was dapper in his appearance and usually seen wearing a nice hat and sunglasses. His outward looks matched his personality: gentlemanly, soft and sweet.

Perhaps this was why he attracted people from all over San Francisco, and even nationwide, to consult with him for an astrological reading. Not only did he offer a grounding presence for those who sought his advice, but many of those who received a reading say that his predictions were accurate.

“When Tracey and I got married, we both had one reading in our lives, and he did that reading for us and it was pretty spot on,” said Edward Enriquez, one of Crook’s closest friends.

Crook also offered the couple free readings when each of their children were born, telling them about how their personalities would develop. 26 and 21 years later, “He’s been exactly right.”

Crook was right about many things, including in April 2025, when he mentioned to Sharon Talbott that something monumental was going to happen in the first week of August. Her son was getting married around then, so she assumed it had to do with his wedding. Crook assured Talbott that it did not have to do with her son. “It’s something monumental happening with me,” he said.

Still, his death on Aug. 3 came as a surprise. Crook is not survived by any children, but his art lines the walls of neighbors’ homes, and his astrological predictions remain burned into the memories of those he counseled, subtle reminders of a man whose beloved earthly presence was written in the stars.