Richard "Dick" Traeger

TRAEGER, RICHARD "DICK" Richard "Dick" Traeger, age 82, a friendly, kind, and gentle soul, passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2014, leaving a better world behind through his contributions. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Laura Beth. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carol "Sonny" Traeger of Albuquerque; four children, Ric Traeger and wife, Judy of Albuquerque, Marc Traeger and wife, Laura of Pinetop, AZ, Scott Traeger and fiancAC.e, Nancy Lobner of Las Vegas, NV, and Kim Nutter and husband, Mark of Austin, TX; ten grandchildren, Ryan, Kristin, Meiling, Jeremiah, Luke, Adela, George, Olivia, Sophie and Ethan; and cousin Pam Hilty. Dick was the true love of Sonny, as she was the true love of Dick. Dick was born August 27, 1932, in Madison, WI to Edgar and Hildegarde Traeger. His youth was spent in Milwaukee, where he achieved the Eagle Scout award and enjoyed adventures while camping, ice skating, and doing other outdoor activities. At the University of Wisconsin, he attained a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. He married Carol "Sonny" Sonnenburg in 1954, moved to Ohio, and worked at Goodrich Corporation while he obtained a master's degree at Case Western Reserve University. A resident of Albuquerque since 1959, Dick was a popular lecturer at the University of New Mexico, where he received several fellowship and grant awards from the National Science Foundation. In 1963, he was the recipient of the first doctor of science (Ph.D.) degree ever awarded by the UNM Chemical Engineering Department. Dick was employed at Sandia National Laboratory from 1963 to 1999. There he worked in the materials research group, hybrid electronics technology and energy divisions. Early research included coal liquefaction and oil shale retorting. He became the first manager of the Geo Energy Technology Department, where he investigated geothermal energy resources and related geosciences. Dick served on President Carter's Energy Committee. He enjoyed doing on-the-scene research at both the Kilauea and Mt. St. Helen's volcanoes. The last several years of his career with Sandia were in government relations, serving as a liaison to Congress, for which his work was recognized by Senators Bingaman and Domenici for contributing directly to national policy-making and national security arenas. He served on the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and on the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology at NMSU and NMT. Dick's devotion to his family and children was evidenced by his complete support of their interests, serving as Boy Scout Troop leader, Little League baseball coach, supporting all school activities, their love of the arts, music, and other interests too many to list. He is most respected and remembered by them as a mentor and leader. He enjoyed hiking, tennis and handball, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and competed in several Mt. Taylor Quadrathlons. Dick spent his later years volunteering with the Albuquerque Open Space Division and serving as a docent at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. He was an active member of St. Luke Lutheran Church. A service will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 9100 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church or the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, 1801 Mountain Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104.