Arrangements made by
French Funerals and Cremations - Wyoming Blvd. Chapel
7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE
Albuquerque,
NM
87109
View Map - Get Directions→
Profile of French Funerals and Cremations - Wyoming Blvd. Chapel→
Tel. (505) 823-9400
Fax. (505) 821-4192
info@frenchmortuary.com
Receive Obituary Notifications by Email
Memories & Candles
Previous
“Greg and I just heard of Dick's passing. He was a great guy. Greg first met Dick when they both worked in Dayton OH in 1977 and remained friends...Read More »
”
1 of 29 | Posted by: Greg and Diane Powers - VA
“I had the pleasure of working with Dick on some big band gigs with Phil Lenk.
He was a talented man and a showstopper! I am so sorry to know that...Read More »
”
2 of 29 | Posted by: Francisca Contreras - NM
“me and my family will always have you in our hearts. we would be blessed to be so loved and amiered by so many , you have touched the hearts of...Read More »
”
3 of 29 | Posted by: william lotierzo - howell, NJ
“bendiciones para la familia del sr. trask.
”
4 of 29 | Posted by: maria
“We will always remember Dick's smiling face and wonderful personality. Our deepest sympathy and prayers to Kitty and the family - Lois and Terry...Read More »
”
5 of 29 | Posted by: Lois Bajuk - Lubbock, TX - friend
“I met Dick with Professor Harry, Fred Burton, Laney McDonald, Nick Luchetti, and all the old ones during the Mirror Lounge days. Later he was a...Read More »
”
6 of 29 | Posted by: Sophia & Nicholas Peron - NM
“Kitty & the extended Trask Family,
I only met Dick earlier this year on coordinating the BFI (25th anniversary) but it didn't take long before I...Read More »
”
7 of 29 | Posted by: Debbie Mixon - Albuquerque, NM
“How often do we meet a couple and like both of them equally? Dick and Kitty complimented one another and were a joy to know years ago at the Indian...Read More »
”
8 of 29 | Posted by: Nancy Winslow Johnson - Deming, NM
“I always admired Dick for the way he stayed so young, vibrant, "in the game" into his late years. His musical skill was impressive, but so was the...Read More »
”
9 of 29 | Posted by: Bruce Dalby - Albuquerque, NM
“My favorite sax player who played at my graduation dance, and for me to sing with the band. May you always hear music wherever you are. Sorry I can't...Read More »
”
10 of 29 | Posted by: Barbara Witemeyer - Albuquerque, NM
“My husband, Tony and I will always have such fond memories of Dick. There were no age barriers with Dick, he would bring laughter with him. Tony and...Read More »
”
11 of 29 | Posted by: Cathy Rooyakkers - Albuquerque, NM
“My sincere condolences to his family -
My father David Nunez and I played with him on several occasions at the
Q-Bar in Albuquerque - he was a...Read More »
”
12 of 29 | Posted by: Rafael Nunez - Albuquerque, NM
“I met Dick when I started working for Kitty at The Pueblo Loft in September 2008. He became a real friend. We often talked about my computer work and...Read More »
”
13 of 29 | Posted by: Sabra Dreyer Armijo - Albuquerque, NM
“Loved to talk to Dick about aerospace business and music. As fellow musicians,
we always kidded each other and had many laughs. When we saw each...Read More »
”
14 of 29 | Posted by: Peter P. Dunda - Almont, CO
“Dear Kitty and family,
I knew Dick through AFOTEC in the 80s when I was in the AirForce and lately through Sandia Labs and PACA. I am shocked by...Read More »
”
15 of 29 | Posted by: Carol Yarnall - NM - Friend
“I had the honor of playing and learning from Dick every tuesday. As we both had sons, we would talk about them all the time. He was so very proud of...Read More »
”
16 of 29 | Posted by: David Nunez - Alb, NM
“Dear Kitty and family,]
I was so saddened to read about Dick's death in the paper. I always have treasured the warmth and friendship that you gave...Read More »
”
17 of 29 | Posted by: Cindy Buzan - Alto, NM - friend
“We have known Dick and Kitty for many years. Dick was a man of honor, with a ready smile and a helping hand for all.
”
18 of 29 | Posted by: Peter and Mary Tannen - NM
“You will be missed Uncle Dick. We love you and will always cherish all the great memories.
"Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather...Read More »
”
19 of 29 | Posted by: Lauren Ross - Tempe, AZ
“The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has...Read More »
”
20 of 29 | Posted by: fjohn reinke (mc1968) - NJ
“Dick was such a great friend and musical companion. He always made the gig exciting and fun. What a great loss, but we'll have many fond memories.
...Read More »
”
21 of 29 | Posted by: Sandy and Ron Lipka - Albuquerque, NM
“I'm so sorry to hear about Dick's passing. Dick has always been a mentor of sorts for me, helping support PACA with excellent speakers and...Read More »
”
22 of 29 | Posted by: Stacy Sacco - Albuquerque, NM
“Dick and I enjoyed many fun "gigs" together throughout the years. He had a great sense of humor and we joked with each other a lot. He was...Read More »
”
23 of 29 | Posted by: Larry Case - Albuquerque, NM
“Dick was truly a great person. He was my first boss after I entered the unfamiliar civilian world from my Air Force career. He was a mentor as well...Read More »
”
24 of 29 | Posted by: Dee German - Donalsonville, GA
“So sad about the loss of Uncle Dick. He was a great man. Always the life of the party. He was always making everyone laugh. He had a awesome life...Read More »
”
25 of 29 | Posted by: Alicia Davis - Waco, TX
“Aunt Kitty and Family,
Sending you love and giant hugs.
Uncle Dick was a phenomenal man. Always, always, smiling and shining. His joy for...Read More »
”
26 of 29 | Posted by: Jennifer Childress - Des Moines, IA
“I always admired Dick for the way he stayed so young, vibrant, "in the game" into his late years. His musical skill was impressive, but so was the...Read More »
”
27 of 29 | Posted by: Bruce Dalby - Albuquerque, NM
“Dick was a valued friend of mine especially during the recent passing of my wife, Joan. When the saints go marching in Dick will be leading the way...Read More »
”
28 of 29 | Posted by: George Marsh
“On behalf of the French Family of Companies, we express our deepest condolences.
”
29 of 29 | Posted by: Trinity Montoya - Albuquerque, NM
TRASK - Richard "Dick" Trask
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Albuquerque Outpost Performance Space (PO Box 4543, ABQ, NM 87196/505-268-0044). Please do not use this Website to purchase flowers or make contributions.
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).
Funeral Mass
October 20, 2011
11:00 AM
John XXIII Catholic Community
4831 Tranway Ridge Drive NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
Only a single photo has been provided. If you would like to add pictures, please Click Here.
Share A Story
-
My favorite memories of my 25 year friendship with Dick include our amiable sparring on issues at the PACA Executive Committee Meetings, both of us enjoying the give and take immensely. His intellect and humor will be much missed.
Kip and I enjoyed our times with him and Kitty at many parties and get-togethers including our Super Bowl Parties and especially their wonderful 50th Anniversary Celebration where he capped the evening with some of his wonderful jazz!
Posted by Bill and Kip Dettmer from Albuquerque, NM - Friend on October 19, 2011
Comment →
