RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Richard J. Kroll, age 78, of State Highway 28, passed away Friday December 7, 2018 in his home. Richard "Dick" was born on May 7, 1940 on the family farm in Cullen a son of the late Frank J and Eleanor Janiec Kroll. He was raised and educated in Richfield Springs graduating from Richfield Springs High School with the "Class of 1959". After high school Dick attended Indiana Institute of Technology obtaining a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He began his career working with the design of airplanes, most notably the F-15 fighter jet followed by employment with Northrup Grumman where he worked on the LEM (Lunar Excursion Module) Project that is associated with all Apollo mission lunar landings. The LEM transported the crew from lunar orbit to the Moon and back to orbit with the most notable mission being Apollo 11 where the US achieved the first landing on the moon. After starting his own family, Dick had a successful career working for the Central New York Psychiatric Center in Marcy as a Secure Hospital TA from which he ultimately retired. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council No. 1508, Richfield Springs. Having a strong belief in God, he was a devout Catholic, and an active member of the Church of St. Joseph the Worker in West Winfield. He loved anything to do with aeronautics and in his spare time enjoyed building model airplanes, and being a war history buff studying military battles and aircraft. He was a devoted father to his children and surviving him are two sons, Eric J. Kroll of Richfield Springs, Richard G. Kroll and his wife Melonie of Kirkville, and two daughters Diana F. Kroll of Utica, and Karen Gienau and her husband Timothy of Pawcatuck, CT, seven grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Caroline Sarafin with whom he was very close. Calling hours for Mr. Kroll will be on Friday May 10th, from 5:00-7:00pm in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street, Richfield Springs. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday May 11th in St. Joseph the Worker in West Winfield at 11:00am with the Reverend Silvastar Sarihaddula officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory with donations to St. Joseph the Worker Church, West Winfield. Envelopes will be available in the Funeral Home Calling Hours J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home Friday, May 10, 2019 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM 40 West James St. Richfield Springs, New York 13439 Mass of Christian Burial St. Joseph the Worker RC Church Saturday, May 11, 2019 11:00 AM US Highway 20 West Winfield, NY 13439