Richard Joseph Trohaugh, 76 passed away peacefully, surrounded by his favorite girls, at his home in South Buffalo Township on Monday, November 30, 2020 after a five year battle with cancer. He was born on January 13, 1944 in Pittsburgh to Joseph and Marie (Gaspare) Trohaugh. One of five siblings, he was born into a big, tight-knit family that loved being together and celebrating on any occasion. He graduated from Crafton High School in 1962 and joined the United States Navy later that year. He was stationed in San Diego aboard the USS Holmes County as an E-5 Electrician and served two tours to Vietnam.
After his honorable discharge in 1968, he returned to Pittsburgh to continue his higher education at Penn-Technical Institute. He was offered an electrical apprenticeship at Golf Research and continued to work at the Harmerville facility with multiple employers, including Chevron, Baker Young, and U-PARC. He retired after 39 years in 2007 as Maintenance Supervisor for U-PARC.
He married his wife of 51 years, Edie, in 1969 after being set up on a blind date that included a drive-in movie and dancing the night away. He proposed over the phone on Christmas while stationed in California. In 1973, Rich and Edie bought land in South Buffalo Township and spent nine months building their home together.
Rich was a ‘Girl Dad’ before it was popular. When his baby girl, Lisa, was born in 1975 with so many challenges and disabilities, she became the center of his universe. When his other daughters arrived, he loved unconditionally, hugged constantly, and sat through countless dance recitals, softball games, musicals, Friday night half-time shows, and being ‘Mr. Fixit’ on a moment’s notice.
He loved the Steelers, golf, fishing, traveling to Myrtle Beach, SC with friends and the annual fishing trip with his friends and nephews, to whom he was simply known as ‘Butch’. He loved serving in the Navy and took great pride in his service.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa Michelle Trohaugh, a brother, Donald J Trohaugh, sister-in-law, Rebecca Trohaugh, two nieces, Cynthia Witkowsky Berg, and Amber Witkowsky.
Survivors include Edie (Smith) Trohaugh, daughters Kimberly (Darren) Fecich and Jamie (Joshua) D’Amico, five grandsons Noah, Lukas, and Evan Fecich; Brody and Hayden D’Amico. His siblings Gail (Joseph) Price, Robert Trohaugh, Kathy (Bob) Witkowsky, and sister-in-law Nancy (Donald) Trohaugh, sister-in-law Shirley (Randy) Marshall, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express gratitude to Dr. Min Sun and his staff at Hillman Cancer Center at St. Margaret’s Hospital for their excellence in care. Also, thank you to Dr. Gabriel Andrews and his staff at Renaissance Family Practice, and to Good Samaritan’s Hospice for their care and compassion.
Rich was a proud veteran and supporter of the troops, both past and present. He cared deeply about the organizations that honor and support our veterans, especially those wounded in the line of service. A long-time supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project, we know he would be honored by your support of such an important organization in his memory.
Your memorial gift will support life-changing programs that empower, employ, and engage America’s injured veterans. Warriors and their families will never pay a penny for these services.
Thank you for your support and for honoring Rich's memory and his service to our country.