Celebrating the Life of a Corrugated Legend: Richard ‘Rick’ Croker
As an educator, author, and mentor, Rick Croker left an indelible mark on the corrugated industry.
A true pioneer in the corrugated industry, Richard “Rick” Croker was a living example of service leadership. He worked in the corrugated industry for more than four decades, building a career marked with accolades. As we reflect on Croker’s remarkable life and achievements, we celebrate the positive impact he made on TAPPI and the world of corrugated.
CORR CONTRIBUTIONS
Though he was a beloved peer, TAPPI member, instructor, and mentor, some may not know that corrugated was really a “second career” for Rick Croker. He was born on Long Island and graduated from the University of Georgia-Athens with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering; in 1965, he married Delores Malcolm. Croker left active duty in 1972 after three tours of Vietnam. He earned a master’s degree through the Air War College; he later retired from the Air Force Reserves as a colonel.
Croker joined the corrugated industry as a foreman in quality at Continental Forest Industries (CFI) and later served as corrugator production supervisor. He then moved up to R&D management as a senior research scientist and field engineer. CFI was later bought by Smurfit. Croker also spent time with Macmillan Bloedel before later joining Georgia-Pacific.
At GP, Croker played a role in teaching crews, maintenance, box salesmen, plant management, and paper mill technical staff how to perform corrugator and press engineering audits, equipment upgrades, preventive maintenance techniques, adhesive formulations, equipment productivity upgrades, waste reduction, centerlining, and more. He also used his extensive experience as a global troubleshooter to help GP’s Corrugated Industrial Development (CID) team. As GP’s containerboard director of technical services, Croker brought his expertise to mills and plants around the world.
PEER LEADERSHIP
Throughout his career, Croker made significant contributions to TAPPI, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among its members. He was a TAPPI member from the late 1970s until 2023 and was inducted into the 2006 TAPPI Fellow class for his meritorious service (an honor afforded to fewer than two percent of members). He also served on TAPPI’s Board of Directors from 2003-2006.
As an active member and volunteer, Croker authored numerous technical articles on all aspects of the corrugated industry and coauthored Technical Information Papers (TIPs) for TAPPI’s Corrugated Packaging Division. He introduced the industry to easy-to-use preventive maintenance checklists. He was also a member of various corrugated committees and local sections and was chairman of the CORBOTEC, Process Control, and Quality Assurance and Production committees.
Croker was an admired instructor for TAPPI’s Best Practices on the Corrugator course. He taught this course for many years across North America as well as in Brazil, China, Philippines, and India.
Croker’s passion for the industry and involvement with TAPPI earned him the Corrugated Leadership and Service Award in 2017. He received the Harry J. Bettendorf Prize, Special Certificate of Appreciation, and Certificate of Recognition for his contributions as a presenter. He was also named by Boxboard Container as one of the 20th Century Leaders of Box and Carton International (BCI).
In 2024, Croker was posthumously awarded the Corrugated Lifetime Achievement Award by TAPPI’s Corrugated Packaging Division. His wife of 59 years, Delores Croker, and his daughter, Christina Noelle Li Volsi, were on hand to accept the award on his behalf.
By his colleagues, peers, and friends, Croker will be remembered for his positive attitude and sense of humor; his passion for teaching others, within and outside of the corrugated industry; and his affinity for scuba diving—as pictured in a TAPPI membership ad that featured Croker. The ad includes Croker’s own words about his corrugated industry career: “Through more than 35 years of (TAPPI) membership I have attended and participated in every corrugated and press training seminar and meeting offered,” says Croker. “My goal was not only to contribute, but to learn and develop exceptional, valuable industry contacts and friends. Share ideas, learn and build contacts for YOUR FUTURE in our industry.”
In honoring the life and legacy of Rick Croker, we pay tribute to a true corrugated legend. His legacy lives on for future generations of TAPPI members and industry leaders.
