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Wayne Francis Reichert

Wayne Reichert, age 90 of Prescott passed away on August, 4, 2015 at the Prescott Nursing & Rehabilitation Community.

Wayne was born on December 16, 1924 in Prescott to John and Blanche (Northup) Reichert.

He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict.

Wayne was a graduate of Prescott High School. He received his Bachelors Degree in Mathematics and Education at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls and his Masters Degree in Mathematics from Trinity University in Hartford, Connecticut. He also took courses in Mathematics, Nuclear Engineering, Astronautics and Astronomy at University of California, Los Angeles.

He started his career as teacher of secondary level mathematics and science in Hastings, Minnesota. He was employed by Sperry Gyroscope, New York, for statistical studies of the reliability of electrical components used in guided missiles; employed by Combustion Engineering, Windsor, CT to design and analysis of neutron and gamma ray shielding for nuclear reactors and containers for transporting radioactive material; Space Technology Laboratories, Rodondo Beach, CA. Determination and parametric studies of the powered flight trajectories of guided missiles for use as space boosters. Studies of earth satellite orbits with reference for use as communication satellite orbits. Designing computer programs for these studies; Employed by Aerospace Corporation, Elsegundo, CA for determination and analysis of satellite orbits and space trajectories. Design of computer programs for the above. Design computer programs for parametric studies of lunar and planetary trajectories. Evaluation of contractor proposals for award of Air Force contracts for research in these fields.

Wayne joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Penang, Malaysia where he lectured in various mathematics courses and computer science; to the University of Malay, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for more of the same. After service in the Peace Corps he went to Africa. At the University of Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania he served as Lecturer and was in charge of the University Scientific Computer Center. He co- authored three texts on Numerical Analysis used as texts for the three year Numerical Analysis course offered at the University. He moved to Zambia where he was the Systems Analyst/Computer Systems Manager for their National Provident Fund (Social Security System). He returned to Wisconsin and was employed by the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul. He did some teaching and work with computers. After being in warm countries for so long he had a hard time with winter and moved to the Island of St. Thomas to continue his teaching career at the University of St. Thomas. After completion of his contract he semi-retired moving to Bradenton, FL where he taught two classes at a Community College. He moved back to Prescott in 2006 where he lived the rest of his life.

Wayne enjoyed being on the road. He traveled through Asia, Africa, India and Europe on his own without a guide by walking, bicycle, riding on top of trains, etc. While in Africa he climbed Mt.Kilamanjaro.

He is survived by one brother and two sisters Jerry (Colleen) Reichert, Marie James and Arlene Russell, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Blanche, Sisters Doris Becker and Marjorie Meacham, Brothers Arthur and Lynn.

Funeral Service for Wayne will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at Hill Funeral Home, Prescott, WI. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral. Burial with full Military Honors will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.

Hill Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Prescott, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.

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