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RICHARD "DICK" Following a short illness, Dick Trask, 82, of Albuquerque, passed away Saturday, October 15, 2011, surrounded by family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Kitty; and their three sons, Richard Jr. and wife Liceth of Palisade, CO, Ron and wife Gloria of Albuquerque, and Randy and wife Sarah of Minneapolis, MN. He also leaves behind six grandchildren, K.T. and Richard Trask, III, Torey Standley (Chris), Adam Gurule, Teresa Moore (Bob), and Randy Trask, Jr.; two great-grandchildren, Whitley and Gage Moore; brother, Arnold of Webster, NY; and sister, Gloria Wagner of Yonkers, NY. He was preceded in death by his parents, Malcolm and Julia Trask; and his brother, Warren Trask, all of Yonkers, NY. Born in Yonkers, NY, Dick began playing the saxophone at age 12. By the age of 16, he was a member of the American Federation of Musicians and playing professionally. Using the sax to finance his education, Dick graduated from Manhattan College with a BS in mathematics in 1950. Later that same year, Dick started his career as a Department of Army civilian math statistician at Aberdeen, Maryland. He met the love of his life on a blind date in Aberdeen in 1953. Their courtship rarely included a Saturday night, as those were reserved for musical "gigs!" They were married in 1955 and began a 56 year adventure that spanned the globe, but no place more beloved to them than Albuquerque. While working in Maryland, Dick earned an MS in Statistics in 1959 from the University of Delaware. Upon his departure from Aberdeen, he became a Department of Air Force civilian where he served in a number of civil service assignments in the United States and in the Netherlands before moving to Albuquerque in 1973. Dick developed a profound love of New Mexico, and while he accepted one additional assignment in Dayton, OH, there was no question that he would return to New Mexico to retire. While in New Mexico, Dick earned a Master of Management degree from the University of New Mexico in 1977. In 1984, he retired from federal service as a member of the United States Senior Executive Service (SES). Dick was honored to receive numerous awards and citations including the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service. He was a member of the Association of Old Crows, the Operations Research Society, and the Air Force Association. Following his retirement, Dick was selected to open and manage the Albuquerque office of General Research Corporation (GRC) in 1984. He continued to lead the office until his retirement from his second career in 1994. Dick was a founding member of the Professional Aerospace Contractors Association (PACA), served as president and vice president, and remained active as a member of the board until his death. While Dick's passion for music never diminished throughout his career, his ability to devote more time to music was a welcomed benefit of retirement. Dick was a founding member of Jazz a la Carte, a member of the Rio Grande Jazz Society, and a very active supporter of the Albuquerque Outpost Performance Space. He frequently worked with and encouraged young musicians. Dick was well known and loved throughout New Mexico's music community and was a true inspiration. He was an active member of John XXIII Catholic Community and a true American patriot. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Dick's passion for life was evident to the leagues of people whose lives he touched. His loss will be felt by many. Services will be at John XXIII Catholic Community on Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Outpost Performance Space in memory of Dick, in honor of his love for jazz music. (P.O. Box 4543, ABQ, NM 87196/ 505-268-0044). Please visit our online guestbook for Dick at: www.RememberTheirStory.com FRENCH 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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