Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

TRENKNER

Fredericksen

Golightly

Peterson

Roe

Swindler

Wheeler

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE – April 11, 2001

Richard W. Trenkner

Aug. 17, 1917 - March 31, 2001

Richard W. "Dick" Trenkner, 83, of North Coquillard Drive, South Bend, Ind., died at 9:44 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, in Memorial Hospital.

He was born on Aug. 17, 1917, to Walter W. and Myrtle Fredericksen Trenkner in Watertown, S. D.

On June 29, 1944, in St. Paul, Minn., he married Elaine Peterson, who died on Dec. 13, 1981. Then on Jan. 1, 1983, in South Bend, he married Jane Golightly, who survives. He is also survived by four sons and their wives, Thomas R. and Susan Trenkner of Afton, Minn., Dr. John D. and Sandy Trenkner of Fort Wayne, Ind., Dr. Stephen W. and Keri Trenkner of Edina, Minn., and Dr. David A. and Peggy Trenkner of Fort Wayne; a stepdaughter and her husband, Margaret and Dan Swindler of Elkhart, Ind., and a stepson and his wife, Edward and Dr. Kathleen Golightly Jr. of Indianapolis, Ind.; six grandchildren, Kimberly Roe, David Trenkner, Emily Trenkner, Daniel Trenkner, Stephanie Trenkner and Jamie Trenkner; Richard's sister, June Wheeler and her husband, Richard of St. Paul; and by a brother-in-law and his wife, Dr. Elroy and Jean Peterson of Ames, Iowa.

Richard's appreciation for nature began early in life when he became an Eagle Scout, and it continued on many fishing trips during his leisure time. He also was an avid golfer and loved traveling.

Richard received his bachelor's of science degree in business administration from the University of Minnesota and went on to receive a master's degree there in hospital administration.

He served as a Destroyer Gunnery and Landing Ship Commanding Officer in the U.S. Navy from 1942 until 1946 in all theaters of World War II.

From 1947 until 1948 he became an administrative resident in the Charles T. Miller Hospital in St. Paul and, from 1948 until 1951, became the assistant director of that hospital.

In 1951 he became the administrator of Memorial Hospital in South Bend. During his tenure as administrator of Memorial Hospital he was appointed to the Indiana State Hospital Regulation and Licensing Council by then Indiana Governor Matthew E. Welsh.

In 1967 thru 1968, then Governor Roger D. Branigin appointed him a member of the Medical Education Board and then in 1974 and through 1979, Governor Otis R. Bowen, M.D., appointed him to the same.

In 1979, Richard was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Bowen.

After twenty-eight years of service as the administrator of Memorial Hospital, he resigned from administration in 1979. However, he continued as a consultant and director of special projects until 1982.

He was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for 17 years and was active at First Presbyterian Church, serving as a trustee, an elder and a deacon.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 14, in the First Presbyterian Church, 333 West Colfax Avenue, South Bend, with Rev. David Morrow, Rev. Terry McBride and Rev. Don Neely officiating. Entombment will be at Riverview Mausoleum, South Bend. The family will receive friends in the church social hall following services.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church or to the Endowment Fund of Memorial Hospital, 615 North Michigan Street, South Bend, IN 46601.

The Palmer Funeral Home, South Bend, is in charge of arrangements.