Richard C. Croyle

Richard C. Croyle, 73, of Millersville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 11th at Lancaster General Hospital.

Richard was born February 8, 1943 in Hollidaysburg, PA to Chester and Ruth (Schneider) Croyle.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology in 1966 and later his M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition from Penn State University. Richard came to Lancaster County and set up a laboratory to help farmers test soil samples. He later became a professor at Harrisburg Area Community College where he taught Environmental Science and Anatomy and Physiology.

Richard was an lifelong outdoorsman who loved biking, hiking through the woods and hunting white tail deer in the fall. He was also an avid golfer who enjoyed playing rain or shine on courses all over Lancaster County. Richard also enjoyed cooking, dancing, and singing karaoke under his stage name: Ricardo.

He is survived by his two daughters, Rebecca and Katherine, two sons, James and Michael and four grandchildren, Vaughn, Jacob, Isabella, and Mia. He is also survived by his younger sister, Helen.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Lancaster County Conservatory located at 117 South West End Avenue
Lancaster, PA 17603.

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  • My heartfelt condolences to you and yours. Richard was my colleague and friend at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC). I always looked forward to his arrival at our office; his ebullient personality never failed to brighten my day. HACC is the worse without him.

    • Thank you so much, Joe. Perfect way to describe him and it’s the way we’ll always remember him. He loved teaching at HACC, he talked about it all the time! Thank you again for your kind words.

  • Becky and Katie, I’m so very sorry for your loss! What a wonderful, fun man your dad was! He will be missed! Thoughts and prayers to you and your family!

    • Thank you so much, Tara. He was definitely one-of-a-kind. Thursday nights at Yorgo’s will surely never be the same!

  • I’m very sad to hear this. Richard helped me through my first year of teaching. He was so kind and caring and funny and strong. I thought he would be living a long life.

    • Thanks, Trixie. Dad had some of his best times with you. It so happens that one of your acquaintances, Roz, was his nurse at the end, for which we were so grateful, as she provided us a lot of comfort. Small world!

      • Oh, yes Roz is sweet. I’m very sorry for your loss . You were the world to him . He talked about you all the time. Well, he will be there looking over you. My dad leaves me signs from the beyond often. Or so I think …take care of yourself! Richard was very kind and really helped me make it thru my first year of teaching in tough philly schools.

  • Someone just told me about this and I honestly thought it must be someone else. I’m so sad! That breaks my heart. He was always so much fun. I’m so sorry for your loss, Katie. I love you and I’ll never forget the time that I spent with you and him. I always loved being around you two. Every time I hear “Family Tradition” I still think of him singing karaoke. He had such a youthful spirit.

  • So sorry, Becky and Katie! I do know your dad loved you both very much. May you get comfort in knowing that. Make him proud! I love you both and will be praying for you!

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