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John Frederick Rihtarchik
November 18, 1929 - March 14, 2016
Chapel Hill
John Frederick "Jack" Rihtarchik, 86, died on Monday, March 14, 2016 at Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC.
Jack adored his family. For 57 years, until her death in 2012, he was a devoted husband to his wife Nancy whom he met in his hometown of Pittsburgh. He was a patient, caring father to his three daughters. Jack loved his four grandchildren, who affectionately called him Pappap, and he especially enjoyed cheering them on from the stands and occasionally bragging about them after games. He was happiest when he was celebrating holidays or on vacation with his family.
He attended the University of Pittsburgh, graduating with a degree in Accounting. He became a CPA, working at Touche Ross, Kay Jewelers and completing his career as Chief Financial Officer at Charles E. Smith in Washington, DC. After retirement, he and Nancy split their time between Rockville, MD and Naples, FL before eventually moving to Chapel Hill, NC.
Jack was an avid golfer who kicked himself when he left a birdie putt short. He was a huge sports fan and rooted especially hard for his alma mater Pitt in basketball and football. He read voraciously and could speak intelligently about any subject. He was funny, a great storyteller and often laughed until the point of tears. Each morning he finished the crossword over breakfast while looking into his garden. He spent hours working jigsaw puzzles with his family and was always quick with praise when someone found a "good piece".
And he was tough. In 2001, he was the first patient over the age of 65 to receive a heart transplant through the Duke University transplant program, and his successful transplant led to the removal of the upper age limit for Duke's heart transplant patients. He was proudly in attendance at the Washington Duke Inn on September 7, 2014 when the world record for the largest number of heart transplant patients in one room was broken.
He was predeceased by his wife, Nancy and his youngest daughter, Joyce.
He is survived by his daughter, Elaine Nanney (Joe), daughter Amy Morgan (Joe); grandchildren Matthew Morgan (Meggie), Michaela Morgan, Jack Nanney and Grace Nanney; his sister Kathleen Rihtarchik Lang; and many close friends.
Donations can be made to the Duke Cancer Fund or Duke Heart Center.
Published in The News & Observer from Mar. 17 to Mar. 19, 2016 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsobserver/obituary.aspx?pid=178080538#sthash.QHnzXHP4.dpuf
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