Richard A. Frohreich

Richard Arnold Frohreich

 Goodland – Richard Arnold “Dick” Frohreich, 96, formerly of Goodland, passed away at his home in Columbus, Mississippi on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 5th at 2:00 PM , with visitation one hour prior. Interment will be at Forest Cemetery near Ethelsville, Alabama.

Burial will be full honors by the United States Navy.

 Born July 17, 1928, at Rensselaer, he was the youngest child of Frank Albert and Anna Wilhelmina (Leins) Frohreich. He received his Christian education at Trinity Lutheran Church in Goodland, where he was confirmed on January 18, 1948. He had the unique experience of being baptized, confirmed, and married by the same Lutheran minister, Pastor Herbert Petrich. 

 As a young man, he enjoyed working with his dad in the family garden, raising chickens, selling eggs, roller skating, and sports of any kind. He was also active in 4H and scouting. He frequently listened to Purdue sports on the radio, and this inspired him to one day attend Purdue University. He graduated from Goodland High School in 1946.

 Through hard work and academic success, he received a Navy ROTC scholarship to Purdue University receiving a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Chemical Engineering in 1950. After graduation, he went active duty with the US Navy and was a veteran of the Korean War. In 1953, Lieutenant Frohreich , received an Honorable Discharge, returning to Indiana. 

 Within days of his discharge, he was stricken with Polio and had a very long road to recovery. He was challenged by the aftereffects for the rest of his life, although he never complained.As soon as he was physically able, he returned to Purdue and in 1956 earned his Master’s of Science in Chemical Engineering. 

 Over the years he worked for Dowell Chemical, Conoco Oil & DuPont. He had also lived in Michigan, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. He retired in 1986. 

 His marriage to Elizabeth “Bettie” Joan Wiley was on September 2, 1957, at Reynolds, Indiana. She passed away February 4, 2013. Together they shared a love of traveling and spending time with their family. He was also a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, and he always knew that next year would be their year. 

 He is survived by his daughters, Julie Dallas of Columbus, Mississippi, and Deborah (Wendell) Haynes of Millport, Alabama. Also surviving are several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. 

 He was also preceded in death by his son, Patrick Frohreich; his daughter, Bonnie Frohreich; his parents; sisters, Helen (Frohreich)Bilyeu, Ruth (Frohreich) Winebrenner and Pauline (Frohreich) Byrd.