Richard Louis Rectenwald

Dick was born to Charles Rectenwald and Arlene Rosenstiel in Erie, PA, on August 20, 1942. After graduating from McDowell High School in 1960, Dick attended Carnegie Mellon University for a time before returning to Erie to continue his education at Gannon University. In the late 1960s, Dick also served in the Army Reserves until December of 1970. At the same time, Dick started working for Fenestra Corp. where he spent 30 years of his career as a sales manager until relocating to Cary, NC, in 1993 to work for Martin Architectural Products.

During his high school years, Dick was a stand-out baseball player and continued playing for competitive leagues into his 20s. Dick was also musically talented, playing in the high school band and in the music program at Carnegie Mellon. Golf was also a passion of Dick’s, particularly at MacGregor Downs Country Club in Cary where he was nicknamed “The Commish” for organizing the weekend rounds with his friends. Later, Dick enjoyed spending time with his four granddaughters, attending their various sporting events and activities, and even coached a rec basketball team for a season. After retirement and into his mid-70s, Dick remained active with golf, racquetball and softball, and was a regular for breakfast at Waffle House with his buddies twice a week.

In addition to his parents, Dick is preceded in death by his wife, Maren S. Rectenwald.

Dick is survived by his siblings Robert (Susan) of Harmony, PA, Jean Helmer (Robert) of Lake City, PA, Ronald (Fran) of Erie, PA, and Ross (Joy) of Erie, PA, as well as by his children Beth and husband David Byerley of Cary, NC, and Rick and wife Kara of Raleigh, NC. He is also survived by his four granddaughters Catie and Rachel Byerley and Samantha and Julia Rectenwald of Raleigh as well as by many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, May 17th, at 1 p.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Cary, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The V Foundation for Cancer Research (www.jimmyv.org).