Frederick Y. Reichart, 79, of Lafayette, passed away Saturday, February 18, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Fred was born October 18, 1943, in Tippecanoe County to Frederick Y. and Lois (Jewett) Reichart. He graduated from Dayton High School in 1961 and attended Purdue University where he was a member of ROTC. He married Jane Barnett and they were married for 61 years, she survives.
Fred worked for Ralston Purina in Lafayette, IN before transferring to Montgomery City, MO, Kansas City, MO and Circleville, OH then returned back to Lafayette with Cargill in 1977. He was a commodity soybean meal merchant for 45 years, retiring in 2008. He served on the Indiana Grain Indemnity Board for nine years.
He was a FFA and ten-year 4-H member and a National 4-H Scholarship recipient in Agriculture. After returning to Lafayette, he continued his involvement with Tippecanoe County 4-H as Township Director. He served on the Exhibit Association as Vice President and then President from 1978-1982. He served on multiple committees, including Chair of the Livestock Auction which he announced for many years. The Fred Reichart Agricultural Achievement Award was created in his honor. In 2020, Fred was recognized for his 42 years of service to Tippecanoe County 4-H.
In his retirement, he focused on farming full time. He particularly enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids going on endless gator rides to “Coyote Canyon”, helping with 4-H projects, visiting with his farm buddies at the Romney Cafe and gardening.
They have four children: Cindy (Mike) Degolyer, Ron (Dena) Reichart, Jon (Shelly) Reichart all of Lafayette and Sally (John) Carlson of Westfield, IN; 8 grandchildren, Matt (Courtney) DeGolyer, Mark (Amy) DeGolyer, Todd (Shelby) Reichart, RJ (Elizabeth) Reichart, Katie (Kyle) Ayersman, Cody (Layne) Reichart, Ella Carlson and Ava Carlson; 10 great-grandchildren, Corbin & Tess DeGolyer, Tatum, Pierce & Dune Reichart, Ramsie & Nixie Reichart, Brynn Ayersman, Jaxon & Mason Reichart. Fred is also survived by his sister Marilyn Hammack, his brother Tom Reichart and sister-in-law Becky Barnett. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Fred Sr. & Lois Reichart.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in Fred’s name to Dayton Memorial Presbyterian Church, 731 Walnut Street, PO Box 70, Dayton, IN 47941 and Tippecanoe County 4-H Exhibit Association, 1950 South 18th Street, Lafayette, IN 47905.
Visitation will be from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd, Lafayette, IN 47909. Services will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, February 23, 2023, with Pastor Gladys Nwabah officiating. Interment will follow at Meadow View Cemetery, 3733 Poland Hill Road, Lafayette, IN 47909.