Achilles Canada celebrated our 25th St Patrick’s Day Run! Huge success, enjoyed by all at our new venue, new sponsorship, new energy. Brian McLean had a special dedication in memory of Dick Traum. We are here together because of this great man…thank you Dick.

Dick Traum was one of the greatest people I’ve ever met. We first met in 1983 when I produced a short documentary for United Way of America about Dick and his new Achilles track club. It was one of the most impressive things that I had seen from a very selfless individual who loved people, and  was always there to help with a kind word or deed.  When  I think of Dick I think of a quote he had when he talked about people who strive only for money or fame. He always said that his personal motto was.” You have one life to live. What are you going to do with it?” No one can ever question what Dick did with his life. He changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world who will never forget him. I am proud to say that I knew him as a friend and I will miss him intensely.

Over the last three years, I was helping Dick organize a manuscript, now virtually complete. Earlier, my biggest task was to convince him that his jokes were less than funny
. .  .  not an easy task. He’d first feign surprise and then try another “joke,” again getting the same response. It became a routine and a way of communicating. We communicated a lot.  The back and forth took on a life of its own.  I got to learn what gave him gratification: simply helping another human being. Which, in turn, would inspire him to do more and help more and more people, people whose lives had been turned around by severe injury, inborn illness, or disability. For Dick, it was pure joy any time he could and would help someone.
 
Sensing his failing health, and near finishing his manuscript, Dick wrote this:
“After death, my last action is best described by a Bob Dylan lyric, ‘The answer is blowing in the wind.’   That’s one way to look at it, but it’s only one part of life’s puzzles and mysteries. And in silly moments, it’s my antidote when I take myself too seriously. So, I try to laugh, muse a bit, and think of myself as the Tinman asking the Wizard of OZ for a heart. The wise and crafty Wizard reminds me that “. . . a heart is not judged by how much you love but by how much others love you.

“That’s what all of us can strive for,” he wrote, “every day of our lives.”  

Paul J Kiell

The world has lost a truly inspirational soul.
Achilles is an incredible organization that enriches the lives of countless people on every continent.
I am a better man for having the privilege of being Dick’s friend. Although still groan remembering his jokes.
Thank you Dick for your selfless dedication to the support and advancement of those who needed a hand to smash records, stereotypes and personal goals.
Your memory and legacy will live on, every time an Achilles athlete or guide, runs, walks or rolls on!

Paul Savage

So many incredible Achilles memories, be it in ‘our’ park or at the finish on 72nd Street…in France running with Achilles or lunch with you:)

My ❤️ and love & respect for you extends to your immediate family and extends to the far reach of the global Achilles ‘family.’

Always,
David

He had the kindest heart, he was brave and he loved to laugh  .
A piece of my heart goes w Dick!

We are very sad to hear of Dick's passing. He was a wonderful person and an inspiration to many. May he rest in peace. Our condolences to his family.

Achilles Canada mourns the loss of Dick Traum, our thoughts and prayers are with the Traum family, and all those lives touched by his strength, compassion, generosity and endless devotion throughout his life. 

Dick was a legend, a hero and leader with an acute determination to advocate and expand the podium worldwide for Achilles athletes with disabilities competing alongside all others within the marathon domain of competition.  He was an inspiration for many including our own Canadian, hero, Terry Fox.  Terry was in hospital when he read a magazine story of Dick completing the NYC Marathon, inspiring Terry to do his Marathon of Hope.

I personally have known Dick since June of 1999; I will always recall fondly our first time meeting him at his office in New York City to talk about my initiative to develop the Canadian Chapter of Achilles Track Club. With a simple handshake, Dick proclaimed “Canada is yours for the taking Brian, I will back you every step of the way”.  This he did throughout our years together meeting monthly to review, educate, inspire and promote the sport of running to be enjoyed and attainable by all, regardless of one's limitations or challenges physically/mentally. disability. I am proud to call Dick a lifelong friend, mentor and second father to me, always available to share the successes and trials of Achilles worldwide. Dick was consistently generous with his pre-marathon hosting of lunch for each International chapter of Achilles members at his favorite club in NYC. This was the rare opportunity to share intimate stories and cherished time together with the energy leading up to the marathon.

Dick Traum will always be remembered fondly as a true leader, mentor and always fun to share time listening to his stories and quirky jokes.  We felt Dick’s genuine care for his Achilles Athletes. 

Rest now in peace Dick, you will be missed but never forgotten.

Brian McLean
Founding Volunteer President of Achilles Canada (1999)

I knew Dick when we were teens on the UWS. The loss of his leg was a tragedy that never should have happened. He devoted his life to helping and inspiring people with disabilities.  He was a true “Mensch.”
Jeanette Isenberg Bersh

What a wonderful man and beautiful soul. Terribly missed. Achilles won't be the same without him. He improved so many lives, and was and continues to be an inspiration to us all. There are no words. Wishing Traum family strength and peace. I sent some pictures to Dicks cell phone because I can't figure out how to upload here. 

RIP, and may your soul rest knowing all the good that you did.

Dick was a unique human being. Rose above physical setbacks to est a whole new sport and created tremendous opportunities for so many disabled athletes. This included so many multiple amputees from the Iraq/ Afghanistan wars, We were honored to film Dick and his Achilles Track Club as they were first into Walter Reed as soon as these grievously injured young soldiers returned from the war. Their time and training with Dick and Achilles, not only gad them complete the NYC Marathon, but helped them return to a purpose in life. -As they say, they’ re turned to life itself thanks to Dick and Mary Bryant & Achilles. Rest in Power Dick Traum!

So sorry to hear about  Dicks passing.  May God be with the family in the time of healing of the heart.

Dick enjoy Titan coming in on Fridays, and Titan sometimes would just walk off into Dicks office to get and give love.  I remember Dick schooling me on my first Marathon. He said listen, your not here to win. You're here to go at your own pace and enjoy. He said you're in an upright handcycle which is harder to. And like a good coach he predicted my time which was a little after 6 hrs. Dick lived a full life and for the most part enjoy it
Rest in paradise friend.

Dick was a great friend and mentor, our lives were better for the part he played in it. His sense of humor and wit always livened up our time together. He will be missed but not forgotten. -Leszek, Krystyna, Jacob, and Agnes

Dear Dick, 

We’ll never forget your game-changing impact, "thumbs up," quick jokes, steely determination, and big vision. 
Your legacy lives on through many, including the Achilles runners, coaches, staff, and volunteers worldwide.
Thank you for your influential role across the sport, from the early days helping build NYRR (including finding the first “International Running Center” with Fred and others), your trailblazing run in the 1976 NYC Marathon on your prosthetic leg, your founding and building of Achilles International, all of your support of wounded veterans with Mary Bryant, and your visioning, building and growing the Hope + Possibility race, with Toby, Achilles, NYRR and others.
Your massive mark will continue to grow. RIP. With love to your family and friends, Mary

Dear Dick, 

We’ll never forget your game-changing impact, "thumbs up," quick jokes, steely determination, and big vision. 
Your legacy lives on through many, including the Achilles runners, coaches, staff, and volunteers worldwide.
Thank you for your influential role across the sport, from the early days helping build NYRR (including finding the first “International Running Center” with Fred and others), your trailblazing run in the 1976 NYC Marathon on your prosthetic leg, your founding and building of Achilles International, inspiring Terry Fox, who inspired legions, all of your support of wounded veterans with Mary Bryant, and your visioning, building and growing the Hope + Possibility race, with Toby, Achilles, NYRR and others.
Your massive mark will continue to grow. RIP. With love to your family and friends, Mary

It was a great pleasure to meet Dick Traum at the New York Marathon in 1976 and we met on the bridge going into Manhattan, I saw Dick limping along and said you started too fast only later realising he had an artificial leg, an amazing feat of endurance and a motivation for hundreds maybe thousands and it was the start of a long term friendship as i was so inspired by Dick s courage that I became a full time volunteer for Achilles trying to set up chapters world wide and publicizes Dick s work all over the worldI only recently spoke to him about bringing some runners from Ukraine to the next New York Marathon, his boundless energy and optimism was a wonderful boost to all and my Sympathies go to Betsy, Jerry and Joey and all the family .Rest in peace Dick you made a truly wonderful contribution to mankind  Chris Stewart 3rd New York marathon in  1976 -77.

My heartfelt sorrow to the Traum family and all those who were fortunate to know Dick. We met nearly 40 years ago at the NYRRC, and I'm truly privileged to have worked with him there. Over the years, he became a generous friend and mentor. 

Besides advocating and pioneering inclusion of disabled athletes into the running world, he changed lives, raising hope and possibility for so many. Personally,  you were lucky to know him, and he will be sorely missed. 

His legacy lives on in so many throughout the world, and I will smile when I think of him. RIP Dick

One of Dick's meeting with his Canada chapters

Well Dick, finish line. I first met you in the early ‘80s when i ran with Art Hall. Hot chocolate and bagels while listening to kurt Steiner. Last run now  oul son. 
Regards, Barry Doyle-Founder, New York Harriers.

As the brother of Dick's wife, Betsy, I believe I was afforded the opportunity to have known him more intimately than many of the hundreds of others who were exposed to his determination and virtual indestructability.

I had the privilege of being asked to assist him on his first marathon venture, which eventually led to becoming a volunteer guide for the Achilles Track Club and watching it grow - city by city, and country by country.  He also allowed me to help edit his 3 books.

For 2 decades imbedded in my annual planning schedule was the first Sunday in November at the starting line to the New York City Marathon. Not only did it require me to stay fit but also afforded the opportunity to meet and affiliate with so many other exceptional individuals who had naturally been attracted to join and participate in Dick's Victory for Humanity.

It might be appropriate to conceive of Dick Traum as an individual "larger than life itself" whose passing, although creating a void  impossible to fill, will nevertheless continue to bear fruit and inspire others for the foreseeable future.

I had spoken with Dr Traum a few times, attempting to have him attend Terry Fox Run London (ON, Canada). Although unsuccessful, I found him to be very friendly & genuinely apologetic.
He inspired Terry Fox - that in itself is sufficient to have earned the respect of all Canadians who are involved in Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope & know of Dr Traum’s inspirational  effect upon Terry.
Thank you Dr Traum.

This is very sad news! Thank you Dick for creating such an amazing organization and  putting yourself out there for so many people. Your work has touched thousands of families around the world, mine being one of them. While you are no longer walking amongst, your spirit and legacy will be with us forever! Thank you for all you did! May you rest in peace!

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of grief. Mr. Traum was a great man and I was blessed to meet him and sit at a table with him during the NYC Marathon. I wish there were so many more of him who truely believed in inclusion and dindn't just pay lip service. I am the President of Achilles Ottawa, Canada and we always try to carry on Dick's legacy of Hope and Possibility!

Take care,, Richard.

My deepest condolences to the Traum family. Dick wasn't just a coach to many including me, but a mentor. Till we meet again and we can run that heavenly marathon. R.I.P.

Rest in peace Dick - thanks for twenty-three years of wonderful memories.  To say you'll be missed is an understatement.  I was very proud to serve on your board for eight years, then serve as your Vice President for another eight years, and, for 13 years, as your race director to build up the event you so loved called the Hope & Possibility. You told me was going to fail unless we stepped up, and stepped up we did.  
Your org, Achilles Track Club, started by Fred and you at the NYRR 89th ST offices in 1983, grew to being a global force under your leadership for the athlete with disabilities. You left it at its peak. You were an ageless soul in an 83-year-old body, and will be long remembered for breaking barriers. The first amputee to conquer the New York City Marathon, and for providing athletes with disabilities a platform to shine. Your relentless spirit, resilience, and contagious positive spirit will echo and last through the corridors of time.
In celebrating your vivacious, extraordinary life, I will remember the legacy of steely determination, inclusion, and boundless possibilities you created. Rest in peace, Dick. Your impact endures, and your spirit lives on in the hearts of all those you inspired.

I am so sorry. I knew Rick for about 40 years. As a deaf runner and racewalker he supported me in my races. I saw him almost every year at the NYCM. Given his health it was not unexpected but he will be missed.

My Dad was 1 of your biggest supporters when he was alive. I thank you for helping him navigate being disabled but wanting to 'Crutch' the New York Marathon. He did it 3 years in a row and now here in New Zealand we have a huge Archilles New Zealand team that compete every year. So thank you. 
To Dicks family, my Aroha to you all
Lisa Riley

You will be missed . Just saw you at starting line of nyc marathon. Sending prays to the family . Love the rudin family

This is such very sad news and yet I am just one of so so many whose life was forever changed through Dicks vision and  Achilles (New Zealand).
As a young man who became permanently disabled and believed the medical opinion of being told “you will never run again” it was in my 50’s and an encounter with Achilles that challenged that belief and had me travel to New York in 2015. With my friend Lance and Guide Peter (now life long friend) complete the New York City Marathon. After walking for 8 hours, 37 minutes and 1 second a lady on the finish line in Central Park in the dark placed a finishers medal around my neck and the limiting self belief of “never running again” was smashed .
Dick I will be forever grateful and you will never be forgotten.
My condolences to Dicks immediate and Achilles family.
Kindest 
Richard W
New Zealand

My 1st Achilles Award in 2015 called Alberto Arroyo Achievement Award handed to.me by Dick Traum himself!
 Thank you so much Dick
RIP Dick

Dick Traum, Pioneer of The Achilles Track Club which later became Achilles International. He paved the way into adaptive sports for many of us. I remember when I began running in the late 1980’s. I’d often see Dick Traum participating, encouraging others and doing what leaders do. Leading  by example. He left his mark on adaptive sports and on all of our hearts. 🙌 ❤️

Thank you Dick for changing my life and so many others. You always said “ You believe, you achieve “. That has become my motto. Together one day we’ll run again. 
You will be missed. 
Richard and Anna Holloway

I am so sorry for your families loss of such a wonderful caring Dick Tram 
20 years ago Artie met Dick in Central Park. 
They worked together to start a biking program at Achilles   
It was a great program many wonderful biking  programs took place. 
Central Park will not be the same not seeing Dick riding around. 
Thinking of you all today. 
Susan Elefant

So sad to learn of your loss. I am one of the thousands , maybe tens of thousands, whose lives were enhanced by his ingenuity and  persistent efforts. 

Thank you, Dick.


/ mort goldfein

Last November, Dick sent this awesome photo of him making pottery to my daughter, Janet Patton, to give me, knowing I was a pottery teacher.  So thoughtful!! God bless him!!!

My deepest condolences to the Traum family. Dick was instrumental in enabling my late husband, Joe Marotta compete and complete the NY C marathon with Team Achilles four times with Paul and Andrew Marotta  as his guides. Dick was an amazing person, gave hope to so many will be sadly missed. Sincerely Dore Marotta and family.

Team Wisconsin knew and loved Dick so well - incredible guy. Will be dearly missed by the World.

Devastated to wake up to this news. Dick Traum was always looking to do good for others - always, every minute of every day, in small ways and big ways, to change someone’s whole life or just to make them smile with one of his quintessential  jokes. At a time when the world needs all the kindness it can get, the loss of Dick Traum is monumental. Sending heartfelt condolences and lots of love to Betsy, Joey and the entire Traum family. 💔

It's a wrap - one of our many fillings to capture as much as we can for "Never Surrender" ... an amazing story of how Dick's efforts have made a significant impact on this world, particularly for those living with disabilities, and together with him, our wounded veterans.

One of Dick's favorite places was the Cornell Club ... can't begin to count the times we broke bread together, and he actually joined me in prayer before we ate... Only recently he agreed that maybe there really is something past our death on earth.  Father God, this is Mary's hotline - take him in - yet be careful with his jokes.

Dick started something incredible. His work has enabled some many people to become athletes. I have countless amazing memories from working with the Achilles family! My deepest condolences.

On behalf of anyone who has been inspired by Terry Fox, thank you Mr. Traum, for inspiring Terry Fox to run the Marathon of Hope. Meeting you in 2018 was one of the highlights of my life. You have left an incredible legacy and will be missed.

Sorry to hear about Dick Passing, the founder of Achilles! There are times I seen him here and there. You will be missed by all the Achilles family!

Dick is pictured after crossing the finish line of the 2023 NYC Marathon as I led him to receive his finisher medal.
Dick's compassionate heart had an impact on the lives of thousands of people. 
Go Achilles! ❤️

Mr. Traum was a true visionary and a hero to so many.
Sleep In Eternal Peace sir.

OBITUARY

Richard Traum

18 November, 1940 – 23 January, 2024

Walter B. Cooke Funeral Home

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