Richard R. “Dick” Borger, 80, of Moshannon passed away on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the Mount Nittany Medical Center. Born on December 16, 1931, in Moshannon, he was the son of the late Alfred and Catherine Preslovich Borger. On August 11, 1979, in Snow Shoe, he married Phoebe A. Schmoke who survives at home.
He spent many years in the deep south, where he learned to gig flounders and frogs, throw a homemade cast net for fish, operate a shrimp boat, make his own oyster rakes, and catch and cook soft-shelled turtles. “That Yankee” was the first to employ a 4’ X 50’ seine to drag the waters of the Biloxi Mississippi gulf coast beaches for shrimp (frequently getting 25lbs of shrimp in 90 minutes)—a now common pastime for coast residents.
After returning to Pennsylvania, Dick joined the 3 Point Sportsmen’s Club in Clarence. He frequently stocked fish at local streams during trout season, and if a few extra or over-sized fish happened to wind up in deep pools that had youngsters eagerly waiting nearby, no one ever complained.
Dick had various jobs throughout his lifetime but the last was as a Welder/Mechanic for River Hill Coal Co. retiring in 1986.
Blessed with more than his share of common sense, a strong work ethic, and a wry sense of humor. He seemed to his family and friends able to find a solution to any problem, fix anything broken, or invent something new while poking fun at a situation, those around him, or himself.
He was a generous man and, until failing health limited his capabilities, he was always eager to offer help to anyone in need. He managed to the Mountaintop Food Bank for many years; he was a loyal and proud member of the Bellefonte Masonic Lodge #268 for 56 years and was a member of the Moshannon United Methodist Church.
Dick enjoyed and excelled at hunting and fishing, and in his later years, doted on his young grandchildren who lived in the local area.
Dick is survived by; his wife, children; Vicki V. Bright and her husband, John of Beverly Hills, FL, Anita L. McCloskey and her husband, Tim of Moshannon, Wanda G. Gates and her husband, Eric, of Milesburg, and Jerry R. Borger and his wife Terry, of Christiansburg, VA,. Also surviving is his sister, Myra Hefferan, granddaughters; Leah Malmevik, Trina McCloskey, Tiffany McCloskey, Ashley Stasko, grandsons; Brett Ritter, Mathew Borger, Jacob Gates, and Zachary Gates; great grandchildren, Jade Patton, Gabriel Patton, and Mackenzie Chambers; nephews, Alfred and Jerry Hefferan and Jeffery Borger, and by nieces Stephanie Ayres and Anita Rankin.
Along with his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his brother, Alfred “Sonny” Borger, his sister, Violet Lester and by his nephew, Steve Borger.
Friends are invited to say farewell on Thursday, May 3, 2012 form 2-4pm and 6-8pm, with a Bellefonte Masonic Lodge #268 service at 7:30pm at the Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Snow Shoe. Funeral service will be on Friday, May 4, 2012 at 11am at the Moshannon United Methodist Church with Pastor Catherine W. Dittman officiating. Burial will follow in Askey Cemetery, Snow Show Twp.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Moshannon United Methodist Church, 1508 W. Sycamore St. Moshannon, PA 16859 or to the Mountaintop Food Bank, 225 Spruce St. Moshannon, PA 16859.
An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.
