Richard “Dick” M. Crooker, 78, of Fogelsville died April 30, 2021.

He was the husband of Barbara Poti Crooker, father of Rebecca Ceartas, Melora Lynngood and David Crooker, stepfather of Stacey Krastek, and grandfather of five - Reilly, Athena, Demitrius, Danny and Caitlin.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he grew up in the Chicago area, graduating from Maine East High School, Park Ridge, Ill. in 1961.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude from Knox College, Galesburg, Ill. in 1965, and his Ph.D. with distinction in physical organic chemistry from UCLA in 1971.

A research chemist, he held positions at Corning Glass Works, Allied Chemical and GAF, before moving to the Pennwalt Corporation in 1981.

He was project leader and group leader, developing processes and applications for environmentally friendly fluorocarbon substitutes for ozone-depleting CFCs.

After French company, Elf Aquitaine, bought Pennwalt in 1991, he became director of research and development for fluorochemicals and hydrogen peroxide until his retirement in 2002.

He was awarded 20 U.S. and 33 foreign patents. In 1998, he received the Elf Innovation Award for his patent for a successful replacement for a widely-used CFC refrigerant.

Following his retirement, he was active at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fogelsville, and in the Applewood community.

He loved hiking, camping, canoeing, traveling and spending time with his family.

He will be remembered for his big smile and good sense of humor.

Services will be private.

Condolences may be offered to the family at kellerfuneralhomes.com.

Contributions may be made to the church, P.O. Box 966, Fogelsville, PA 18051.

Arrangements made by Keller Funeral Home, Fogelsville.