Frederick R. Pracht, Jr.

Frederick “Fred” R. Pracht, Jr.

Loved to Volunteer -

Frederick “Fred” R. Pracht, Jr., age 82, of Mechanicsburg, and formerly of Mill Valley, CA, passed away peacefully with family by his side in his own home on Saturday, May 14, 2016.  Fred was born on Monday, January 29, 1934, in San Fernando, CA to the late Frederick Ralph Pracht, Sr. and Helen Eleanor (Carragher) Pracht.

Fred’s survivors include his wife of 52 years, Hope (Mason) Pracht; his three children: Sarah Geisler and her husband, Steve, and their children: Mark and Suzie of Aurora, OR, Eleanor Pracht-Smith and her husband, Martin, and their son, Landon of Davis, CA, Nicholas “Nick” Pracht of Houtzdale, PA; his twin sister, Carol Robertson and her husband, Frank, of Greenwood, SC; and several nieces and nephews.

Fred graduated from Santa Cruz High School as part of the class of 1951 and from University of California, Berkeley in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in economics.  Fred transferred to Mechanicsburg in 1978 to establish Commercial Union Insurance Company’s involuntary business center, which was responsible for handling automobile, property, and workers’ compensation residual market business for the Mid-Atlantic region.  Over the next ten years, the scope of Fred’s job expanded the area of his responsibility to the entire country.  Fred served on the board of directors of the National Council on Compensation Insurance in Boca Raton, FL.  He retired from Commercial Union as assistant vice president of market operations in 1999.  Fred was very well liked and respected by his entire staff of approximately 80 employees and by insurance associates worldwide.

Fred was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mechanicsburg for over 40 years.  He was a member of the Harrisburg Area Road Runners Club, Harrisburg Bicycle Club, the chair for the Miss San Francisco Contest in 1961, and a chair member of Mechanicsburg Historic Preservation.  Fred loved to volunteer and did so by reading for the Tri-County Association for the Blind and with the Harrisburg Area Radio Reading Service since 1998.  He was recognized as Volunteer of the Year for his dedication and service to those two groups, accumulating 380 hours of service.  Fred’s love of horses and riding led to volunteering with CATRA (Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association.  He enjoyed classical music, plays, movies, traveling, good restaurants, good conversation, cooking gourmet recipes and reading his favorite book, Elbert Hubbard’s Scrap Book .

All are welcome to join Fred’s family at his gathering of family and friends on Friday, May 27, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. until the recitation of the Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Myers - Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Deacon Jack Paruso reciting; and for his gathering of family and friends on Saturday, May 28, 2016, from 9:30 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 410 East Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with The Reverend Thomas J. Rozman celebrating.  Honored to be pallbearers are: Steve Geisler, Fritz Fichtner, Melodie Coffey, Fred Richenderfer, Ronnie Dietrich, and Mark Dietrich.  Fred’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at Snapper’s Bar & Grill following the Mass.

Contributions in celebration of Fred’s life in lieu of flowers can be made to CATRA (Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association), P.O. Box 339, Grantville, PA 17028; www.catra.net/donate.html; or to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 410 East Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; www.StJosephMech.org.

Fred’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Fred’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, and sign his official guest book at www.Myers-Buhrig.com .