In Memory
Richard A Wachs - Class Of 1964
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Richard A. Wachs Jr. Sept. 4, 1946 - June 27, 2015 WEST LAFAYETTE - Richard A. Wachs Jr., 68, of West Lafayette, passed away on Saturday, June 27, 2015, in his residence after a short battle with cancer. He was born on September 4, 1946, in South Bend, to the late Richard A. Sr. and Dorothy Wiley Wachs. Richard graduated from John Adams High School with the class of 1964. During his high school career he was an Indiana High School State Champion relay member twice in the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay. He went on to earn his Bachelor's and a Master's in Biochemistry from Purdue University. While at Purdue, Richard served in R.O.T.C and was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon. Mr. Wachs was the West Lafayette Red Devil's Boys swim coach for 40 years and the Girls coach for 30. He had record winning seasons with the Boys of 469-160-3 and the Girls team with a respectable 339-125-4. He led the Boys team to 28 Hoosier Conference Championships and 19 Sectional Titles. The girls under Coach Wachs won 18 Hoosier Conference Titles and 9 Sectional Titles. He was also a physical education, health, biology, and science teacher at West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School for 39 years. He was a man who truly found his calling in life. He helped create a culture where anyone could be who they were and march to their own drum. He taught students how to be a good teammate, a good leader, and a good person. On May 5, 2015, Richard married his love of the last 10 years, Diane Burgess Yost, on the couple's front porch in West Lafayette. Richard was also very passionate about his community. He served as City of West Lafayette Pool Manager/Aquatics director for 25 years; Tippecanoe County American Red Cross Water Safety Chairman and Board Member for 20 years; President of the Indiana High School Coaches Association for 3 years; Board Member of Indiana High School Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame; and National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association Girls Swimming All-American Chair for 15 years. He has been recognized for his dedication to his love for swimming and the country's youth by receiving NISCA 25 Year Coaching Award; 2004 NISCA Outstanding Service Award; 2013 Collegiate and Scholastic Swimming Trophy Award. Surviving with his wife, Diane, are his stepchildren, Courtney Yost of West Lafayette and Daniel Yost of West Lafayette, and a brother, Dean E. Wachs of South Bend. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2015, at 11 a.m. in Howenstein Auditorium at West Lafayette High School with a reception following. A Private Graveside Service will be held at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens. You may light a Candle of Hope in Remembrance of Mr. Wachs and sign online condolences by visiting www.fisherfuneralchapel.com.
Published in South Bend Tribune on Jul. 1, 2015.
03/02/2021 JFC
Kenneth Weichsel (1965)
Dick was a part of the great swim teams of '61-'64. I knew of him then, but I did not become close friends with Dick until we were both in the same fraternity at Purdue. He was one of the most positive, fun-loving people I have ever been associated with. He had health problems (high blood pressure) and one kidney removed, but that did not slow him down. Dick worked at the Co-Rec as a lifeguard and in other activities there. We spent many nights sampling various malted beverages and solving the worlds' problems. Dick was a great, bright, upbeat person and a good friend. We lost touch after graduation and I never reconnected with him. My sympathy goes out to his family and friends. May peace be with you. Ken Weichsel '65