Richard "Dick" Cromer

Richard (Dick) Frank Cromer, 72, of Sherwood, Oregon, passed away Friday, April 28, 2017 following a lengthy illness.  He was surrounded in his family's love at the time of his death.



Dick was the youngest son of John and Ella Mae (Mandeville) Cromer.  He was born in Butte, Montana on April 11, 1945.  He grew up in Butte until his freshman year of high school when the Cromer family moved to Bozeman, MT.  Dick's family had a small farm in Waterloo.  He and his older brothers grew up spending their summers playing and working on the farm.  Dick graduated from Bozeman High School in 1963 and then enrolled at Montana State University where he was an active member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.  It was at MSU where he met his future bride, Diane Thomas.  Dick and Diane married June 11, 1966.  Dick graduated from MSU in 1967 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.  Their son, Scot Richard, arrived in 1967.



Following graduation, Dick worked for the Montana Power Company in Havre as a town engineer.  In 1969 Dick and Diane's daughter, Beth Diane, was born in Havre.  He continued his career with MPC in Anaconda and Butte holding several jobs including positions in the Planning and Contracts Departments and President of Continental Energy.  In addition, he completed a three-month executive course at Harvard University.  While living in Butte, Dick was a Rotarian, served on the planning board, the MSU Foundation board and was a past president of the Butte YMCA.  Dick was Executive Vice President of the Energy Supply Division when he retired from Montana Power in 2000.  Dick and Diane moved to the Portland, Oregon area in 2003 to be near their children.



Dick was an avid runner and would often be seen running with his dog while Diane rode her bike.  He enjoyed hunting with his buddies and his son, traveling, spending time with his Belgian draft horses, and riding a John Deer tractor. But most of all, he loved spending time with his family.  Dick will lovingly be remembered for his witty humor followed up by a gentle sly smile.



Dick was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Chuck and Doris (Beck) Thomas; his granddaughter, Sidney Schleve; and his uncle, John Mandeville and wife, Donna.



He is survived by his wife, Diane; son, Scot (Melanie); daughter, Beth (Dan) Schleve; grandchildren, Shelby Schleve, Jennifer (Tony) Linde, Danielle Schleve, Tanner Kichler and Madison Kichler; brothers, Ed (Marj) and Don; nephew, Eric (Christine); nieces, Charlet (Sean) Stanton and Susan (Josh) Gray; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-nieces and nephews.



A memorial service is being planned for Saturday, June 3, at 1pm.  It will be held at Bella Via in Sherwood, OR.  A graveside service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, August 5, 2017 at Mt. View Cemetery, Butte, MT followed by a celebration of life at Maroon Activity Center, 550 E. Mercury St. Butte, MT 59701.



In lieu of flowers, the family requests: (please note, if giving by check, in the memo line, please write "in memory of Richard F. Cromer supporting Neuroscience Research".)