Richard Bernard Greene, 04 May 1931 - 13 Sept 2016

GREENE, HORRAS, NILLES, STITES, MCCURDY, SELK, STROHMAN, SMITH, ERICKSON, SCHONEY, CONFAIR

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 10/11/2016 at 11:43:04

Richard "Dick" Bernard Greene of Williamsport, PA passed away peacefully at the age of 85 on September 13, 2016 at The Gatehouse at Divine Providence Hospital.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carol Jean (Horras) Greene, as well as a sister, 5 children, 9 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and 50 nieces and nephews.

On May 4, 1931, Richard was born to James Joseph Greene, III and Bertha Anna (Nilles) Greene near Keswick, Iowa. He was the twelfth of their 12 children. Of his 11 sisters and brothers, Richard was predeceased by 10 - James Nilles Greene, Anna Bernadette Stites (Carl), Jessie Elizabeth McCurdy (Carroll), Vincent Greene, Margaret Mary Greene, John Matthew Greene (Vera), Ellen Winifred Selk (Howard), Francis Joseph Greene (Theresa), Bertha Katherine Greene, and Roy Louis Greene (Marilyn).

Richard is survived by one sister, Kathleen Marie Strohman (Joseph) of West Des Moines, Iowa.

After returning from his Army service in Korea and being discharged, Richard married Carol at the Mother Cabrini Catholic Church in Richland, Iowa on February 19, 1955. Shortly thereafter, Richard enrolled at the University of Iowa. He graduated in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

After living in San Antonio, Texas for several years, Richard moved the family to Williamsport in 1967 to begin working as an administrator with the Williamsport Hospital. Thereafter, in 1968, Richard was awarded his master’s degree in hospital and health care administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

In Williamsport, Richard and Carol raised their beloved children -¬ five of whom survive Richard: Christine Marie Smith (Glenn) of Stevensville, MT., Audrey Suzanne Erickson (Gary Schoney) of West Des Moines, Iowa, David Vincent Greene (Carla) of Little Rock, Ark., Rita Joan Confair (Steven) of Williamsport, and Daniel Joseph Greene (Susan) of Lewisburg.

Richard was predeceased by another son - Douglas Edward Greene - who was involved in a motorcycle accident on September 13, 1981 and passed away on September 17, 1981. After Doug’s passing, Richard took up running and, in spring of 1982, completed the Boston Marathon. Richard was also predeceased by 7 nieces and nephews.

Surviving in addition to his wife, sister, and children are Richard’s cherished grandchildren - Douglas Allen Smith (Haley), Ashley Christine Erickson, David Vincent Greene, II, John Michael Greene, Ellen Kathryn Greene "Katie," Richard Connor Greene, Jason Todd Confair, Esq. (Kamala), Benjamin Scott Confair (Shannon), and Michael Matthew Confair.

Richard is further survived by 6 great-grandchildren ¬ Richard William Confair "Will," Theodore Steven Confair "Teddy," Brennan Anthony Confair, Isaac Matthew Confair, Claire Elizabeth Catherine Confair, and Elayne Marie Smith - each of whom adored their great-grandfather.

Richard will be remembered by all as humble, kind, selfless, and respectful - yet, also as determined, disciplined, and accomplished. He confronted life’s challenges with a rare grace and incisive sense of humor. He was the perfect example for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren - a great source of pride for Richard.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Knight-Confer Funeral Home; please visit their site for the full obituary. http://www.knightconferfuneral home.com/index.php

English Valleys Star, 28 Sept 2016