Richard "Dick" E. Croghan

On September 30, 2022, Richard “Dick” Croghan started his heavenly life with The Lord. He was met at the door by his son, Robert “Bobby”; his father and mother, Benjamin and Helen; his brothers, Robert and William “Bill; and his sister, Helen.

Still awaiting their time to join Dick are his loving wife, Alvina (Wentzel) Croghan; their children, Cole (Patricia) Croghan, Patrick (Mariann) Croghan, Clayton (Tamara) Croghan, and Kimberly (Robert) Reeves along with fourteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Dick was born January 14, 1937 to Ben and Helen (Smead) Croghan. He along with his six siblings grew up in Wahoo, Nebraska. In 1954, he joined the United States Air Force and proudly served until 1957. While stationed in Wadena, Minnesota, he met Alvina Wentzel and they married in 1957, the same year he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force. They began their life together and were blessed with five beautiful children. Dick’s love of family and his faith in God were very apparent throughout his life. Dick and Alvina raised their children in Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska where they attended the First Presbyterian Church. Upon moving to Fremont, Nebraska, Dick became an active member of the Fremont Presbyterian Church. He served in many leadership roles in the churches where he was a member.

Alcoholics Anonymous became an important aspect of his life; he joined AA in 1977. He attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln to become a certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor. In 1983, Dick and Alvina founded Pathfinder Alcohol-Drug Outpatient Clinic, the first independently owned outpatient clinic of its kind in the state of Nebraska. For next fifteen years, they helped countless individuals gain sobriety at Pathfinder Clinic. Together, they continued to serve individuals throughout their lives. In 1996, before retiring from Pathfinder, Dick became a lay pastor. His strong faith and sobriety became the focus of his life. During these years of retirement, he founded two churches and preached in regions of Minnesota and Texas.

On September 30, 2022, Dick completed his AA program and began his eternal life with his Lord.

A memorial service will take place October 8, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Harlingen, Texas. A memorial service will also be held October 22, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska.

In lieu of flowers, you are invited to honor Dick's life and legacy with a memorial gift to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105.