Richard A. Trachy

Richard A. Trachy Sr. passed away on August 21, 2014. Richard Trachy (Dick) was born on March 12, 1923 at his parents' home in Franklin, New Hampshire, second child of six to Arville and Yvonne Trachy.He attended Franklin High School and the University of New Hampshire, receiving a bachelor's degree cum laude in Electrical Engineering. After graduating he joined the United States Army.On June 14, 1947 he married Jeannette Horzempa in Franklin.He then joined Western Union where he and Jeannette traveled the country setting up telephone relay stations.In 1950 he began his career with IBM in Poughkeepsie, New York.He worked in several roles within IBM, bringing him to Rochester MN in 1965.Dick eventually became Manager in the newly formed Development Lab here.He held several management positions at IBM in Rochester, eventually retiring as Senior Site Manager in 1983. He was very proud of his career at IBM; first and foremost he loved dealing with the people.He also enjoyed the management and technical challenges presented during the rise of the computer age.His proudest accomplishment was bringing the System 3 development project to Rochester, establishing Rochester as the major player in the midrange computing marketplace.He was asked to join the Board of Trustees of Saint Mary's Hospital, beginning a 10 year involvement that he relished.He became President for two years, finally leaving the St. Mary's Board in 1986.He also served on the Board of Directors for Minnesota First Credit and Savings.Upon fully retiring he taught classes in personal computing to seniors at the Rochester Senior Citizens Center.His lessons enabled many seniors to learn how to use e-mail and other PC applications.One of Dick's favorite pastimes was fishing.He especially enjoyed the annual trip he and his friends took to Lac de Mille Lacs in Canada and later to Lake Michigan with, on occasion, his grandchildren.Dick loved relaxing at his cottage in Shell Lake, WI with his family, working on his computer, playing golf and bridge, and also casting his inquisitive mind in new directions.He was unfailingly kind, generous, and respectful to all he met.Dick was a true gentleman, a devoted father, and a loving husband to Jeannette for 67 years. Richard is survived by his wife, Jeannette, his four children, Richard Jr. (Cyndi), Jeffrey (Josephine), Mary Asselin (Robert), Suzanne Sitko (Bruce), eight grandchildren (James, Jennifer, Scott, Thomas, Elizabeth, Julia, Elana, and Janet) and 4 great grandchildren, all of whom will miss him and remember his calm and wise advice.He is preceded in death by his three brothers. A Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 25, 2014 at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church (11 4th Avenue SW).Visitation will start at 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Povarillo Fund at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, MN.