Charles Richard "Dick" Wachter, 86, passed away at the UMMC R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore on August 17, 2012. He was born on January 9, 1926 and was a lifelong resident of Frederick. As a young man, his interests included photography and exploring caves in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. He was a talented woodworker, building his own house, recreational boats, and eleven grandfather clocks. He was also a pilot of light aircraft. Mr. Wachter graduated from Frederick High School on June 1, 1943, and joined the U. S. Navy the next day. He was accepted into the Navy V-12 Officers Training Program and later transferred to the Navy V-5 Flight School. World War II ended while he was still in pre-flight school at the University of Georgia and he chose at that time to become a civilian. Mr. Wachter joined Wachter Bros. Inc., the family business, with his brother, Elmer Wachter, his mother, Helen G. Wachter, his sister, Eutha Hueting, and his brother-in-law, Darwin Hueting. The business prospered and in 1976 merged with F. A. Davis & Sons of Baltimore. Mr. Wachter retired on December 31, 1987, after 42 years in the candy, tobacco, and dry goods business. He joined the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) Lodge 684 on February 6, 1962. Mr. Wachter served in all the chair officer positions and in 1967 became Exalted Ruler for Elks Lodge 684. He served on the BPOE 684 Board of Trustees for five years, and in June of 1972 he accepted the duties of Lodge Secretary, an office he held for 22 years. In his later years with the Lodge, he volunteered as organist. In 2004 he received The State of Maryland Governor's Citation Award for his 42 years of service. Mr. Wachter was a member of The Frederick Rotary Club where he was active for many years as historian and archivist. As a Rotarian he participated in the "Signature 2000 Project" which helped to provide the West Frederick Middle School students with "at home" access to computers and the Internet. He was also a member of the Evangelical and United Church of Christ, The American Legion, the Frederick Rod and Gun Club, and the Frederick Junior Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Wachter was the last of his immediate family. He was predeceased by his parents Ralph and Helen Wachter, his sister, Eutha Irene Hueting and his brother, Elmer Elroy Wachter, Sr. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Jane Wachter, his son, Dr. Ralph F. Wachter of Arlington, Virginia, his daughter, Dr. Claire L. Wachter and her husband, Dr. Dean F. Kramer, of Eugene, Oregon; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home at 106 E. Church Street in Frederick on Thursday August 23 from 10 am to 11 am. The service will be at 11 am and the graveside service will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Donations in Mr. Wachter's memory to support scholarships can be made to The Rotary Club of Frederick, P.O. Box 13, Frederick, Maryland 21705. Online condolences can be expressed at www.keeneyandbasford.com
