Obituary for Frank H. Reichel Jr.

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Life Story for Frank H. Reichel Jr.

Dr. Frank Hartranft Reichel, Jr., of Telluride, CO, formerly of Villanova, PA, died peacefully in his sleep on February 3, 2018 at the age of 89. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on March 2, 1928, the only child of Frank Hartranft and Marian Reed Reichel, both originally from western PA. He was raised in Fredericksburg, VA, where his father was one of a group that founded Sylvania Industrial Corporation. He attended St. Albans School for Boys and Woodberry Forest before graduating from Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, NJ. He graduated from Yale University in 1948 and received his Ph.D. in chemistry in 1951 from Yale Graduate School. In his early career, he worked as a chemist with Mound Laboratories in Ohio and was director of research for the Ketchikan Pulp Company in Alaska. He married Beatrice Adelaide Hinson of Atlanta, GA on March 26, 1955, and the young couple lived outside of Philadelphia, PA. He worked at FMC Corporation in Philadelphia from 1963-65. He became President and Chairman of the Board of American Viscose Corporation, Radnor, PA, a holding company, in 1965 and CEO in 1976 until his retirement in 1980. Directorships included Davison Sand & Gravel Co. and Raybestos-Manhattan, Inc. Frank served as a Trustee of Episcopal Academy in Merion, PA and Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill, MA and served on the Board of Managers of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

Frank was an avid skier into his seventies and a loyal supporter of the U.S. Ski Team with his wife Bee, a former U.S. Ski Team Trustee. He also loved windsurfing, especially in the Columbia River Gorge. Frank was a knowledgeable and skilled gardener and enjoyed fine food, wine, and travel.

Frank is survived by his beloved wife Bee of almost 63 years and two children, Lynn Reichel Coombe of Lake Oswego, OR and Frank H. Reichel, III and his wife Sue of Manakin-Sabot, VA and six grandchildren: Frank H. “Hardy” Reichel, IV and his wife Jessie of Big Arm, MT, Jamie Nohl Chaix of Portland, OR, Hope Frances Reichel of Richmond, VA, Cory Greene Coombe of Portland, OR, Hallie Grace Reichel of Hanover, NH, and Honor Sophia Reichel of Manakin-Sabot, VA.

Frank’s ashes will be buried next to his parents in Oak Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg, VA in a private graveside service on March 2, 2018. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions to the United States Ski and Snowboard Foundation (www.foundation.ussa.org).

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.