Crockett was a fundraiser for MGH before the hospital had a formal development office, and pioneered many of the strategies for connecting with donors that are common at MGH and elsewhere today, including direct mail to potential donors. He was first hired at MGH in 1946, to coordinate and publicize the hospital’s centennial celebration of the first successful public demonstration of anesthesia. During his years of service, he helped raise money for nine new buildings at MGH.