Richard "Dick" Paul Dugger
Jan. 3, 1931- Sept. 7, 2016

CULVER - Richard (Dick) Paul Dugger, 85, formerly of South Bend, and Culver, IN, passed away peacefully while living at The Hearth at Juday Creek, Granger, IN, on September 7, 2016. He was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa on January 23, 1931 to Gerald and Helma (Bowen) Dugger. On August 24, 1952, he married his high school sweetheart, Joan Cunningham. ? She survives, along with daughters, Sharon (John) Pillow, Elkhart, IN, with children, Michael (Erica), Flagstaff, AZ, and Sara (Jon) Bowen, Elkhart; and Corinne (Steve) Stogdill, Granger, IN, with children, Jessica (Adam) Weaver, Mishawaka, IN, James, Elkhart, and Eli, Bloomington, IN; son Gregory (Kay) with children, Jacob and Abigail, Fishers, IN; sister, Marilyn (Larry) Hoffer, Freeport, IL; and brother, Robert (Janice) Dugger, Manson, IA. Survivors also include five great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Nora Pillow, Amelia Bowen, and Pearl and Lincoln Weaver. ? Dick spent his childhood in Delta, IA before moving to Boone, IA during his high school years. He enlisted in the National Guard while in high school, serving during his final two years of high school and throughout college. After graduating from Boone High School in 1949, he attended Iowa State University, graduating in 1953 with a degree in Statistics.? Dick's first job after college was with Bendix Aviation in South Bend, IN. From there, he worked for South Bend Tackle in Spencer, IA, and South Bend, then Welcraft Easy Heat, Lakeville, IN. He started his own company, Ristance Corp., a manufacturing operation, assembling electrical wire harnesses, in Wakarusa, IN in 1964. It later moved to Bremen, IN and grew to four companies, including Abcom Corp., a wire extrusion business, in Mishawaka, IN. After chaperoning a youth mission trip to Haiti in the 1970s, Dick said, "God stepped in." He sold his company in 1982 and retired to become involved with mission work in the agriculture of developing countries, specifically addressing poverty and malnutrition concerns.? Dick was the founder of the agriculture outreach ECHO, in North Fort Myers, FL. It is a nonprofit, interdenominational Christian organization dedicated to reducing world hunger through innovative ideas, seeds, and agricultural training. Tropical plants, agricultural techniques, animals, and appropriate technologies all combine in ECHO's Global Village to illustrate farming in different parts of the world. Dick strongly believed that gathering people with like minds is the best way to solve problems, so ECHO networks with community leaders and missionaries in developing countries to provide agricultural solutions for families growing food under difficult conditions. ? Dick has also worked closely with Africa University in Zimbabwe in researching the sustainability of Moringa and grain Amaranth, as well as promoting their nutritional benefits for many HIV/AIDS sufferers and malnourished children. ? Dick and Jo loved traveling and seeing the world, whether on bicycle, through Elder Hostel, or with mission work. Dick made beautiful stained glass windows and enjoyed working with wood. He also enjoyed being actively involved with students and staff of Culver Academies. He loved the fun and fellowship of his family, and appreciated the times everyone gathered at their Lake Maxinkuckee home in Culver.? Dick truly believed that a partnership with the living Lord was the key to fulfillment in life. The Lord makes an investment in a person. In return, one must make an investment in the Kingdom of God as a testimony of personal belief.? Visitation and a Celebration of Life service will be held on November 4 at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 511 School St, Culver. Burial in the Culver Masonic Cemetery will be private. Odom Funeral Home, Culver, is in charge of arrangements.? In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Culver Girls and Boys Club, http://www.bgcculver.org/, or ECHO, http://echonet.org.

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Published by The Pilot News from Sep. 8 to Sep. 9, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Dugger

Sponsored by Odom Funeral Home - Culver.

7 Entries

Daniel Twesige

June 17, 2020

He was such a wonderful person. So caring and loving. I came to know him in 1998 when he first visited my father in the village of Iwawu, Iganga in Uganda.
He introduced Moringa and Grain amaranth to Uganda through Dr. Mwangi. Because of Richard Dugger , my father, (who barely attained primary level education) was able to visit ECHO in Iowa USA.
It was Richard Dugger that helped me complete University. It's so sad to learn of his passing on. His kindness, compassion and love was incomprehensible. May his soul Rest in Peace. And may the Almighty God continue to strengthen and comfort his family.

Dorothy Abel

November 2, 2017

With the passing of Aunt Shirley and Uncle Don, we were reminded not only of the blessing of having them in our lives, but of all the amazing people we were so fortunate to have met while visiting Grandma and Grandpa in South Bend. Of course the Duggers are on the top of the list. It's impossible to even imagine how many treasured memories there are associated with Dick, his family, and his wonderful work. We're honored to be the keepers of some of those memories. Deb and Dorothy (maiden name Williams)

Mike Hannigan

September 13, 2016

Dear Dugger family, It was a pleasure to know Dick many years ago and I clearly recall his friendliness and integrity. Years later it was my pleasure to work with 'Greg in Indianapolis and hear of Dick's good works and life at Culver. My sincere condolences to your entire family.

karen maes

September 12, 2016

It was honour to serve this beautiful man and his family. Condolences to all.

Margaret McKinnis

September 11, 2016

Dear Dugger Family,

I am so sorry to hear the world lost such an influential humanitarian, Mr. Dick Dugger.
His legacy extends many places throughout the world, and Culver Academies sustains a strong connection to his work. As a 2016 Culver grad, I recently passed the PB Chocomaranth project to a group of determined individuals. I anticipate great strides this year, but every success has a beginning Dick Dugger was ours. He introduced and educated Culver students on amaranth, a plant foreign to our vocabulary. The potential within this plant became the muse for the PB Chocomaranth bar, and Dick Dugger was the catalyst for the project's movement. He never failed to amaze us with his vast resources. He illustrated the power of networking, and the lengths relationships can take you. The project now draws from many people and communities, and this is largely due to his craftsmanship.
Despite his many accolades, he remained a humble, simple man with the purest heart. It has been a blessing to have known a teacher so selfless and influential. I cannot fathom the amount of lives he has touched through his innovated thinking, determined attitude, and compassionate being. I reflect on his life with awe and amazement.
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of an altruistic man.

Sincerely,
Margaret McKinnis

Bob & Becky Conelley

September 11, 2016

We are sadden to learn of Dick's passing. It was an honor to know him and our prayers are with the family during this time.

September 9, 2016

Death is like sleep John 11:13.

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