Donald C. Reichert

DONALD C. REICHERT, 89, of Fort Wayne, passed away Monday, June 2, 2008. Born April 29, 1919, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Joseph and Alvina Reichert. In 1937, he graduated from South Side High School and then enrolled in Franklin College where he played basketball, baseball and football. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Blue Key and graduated in 1941. He taught and coached at Covington High School, in Indiana, and then joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served as a Lieutenant on a PT boat until being discharged in 1946. On July 26, 1947, he married Wanda Hilsmier; she preceded him in death. He returned to Covington High School as a teacher and a coach until 1951. From 1951 to 1971, he taught at South Side High School, coaching basketball 16 of those years. In 21 years of coaching his teams won numerous Sectional and Regional titles, two Semi State titles, and the State Championship in 1958. Two of his players were named Mr. Basketball for the State of Indiana. From 1971 until his retirement in 1981, he served as Athletic Director for Wayne High School. He was inducted into the South Side Hall of Fame, the Franklin College Hall of Fame, and the Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2004, he was honored when the South Side Gymnasium was renamed the Don Reichert Gymnasium. He is survived by daughters, Linda (Jack) Burket and Sandra (John) Fortson; granddaughters, Amy (Greg) Feldkamp, Courtney (Dan) Arndt, Lauren Burket, and Megan Burket, three great grandchildren, Rowan Feldkamp, Kieran Feldkamp and Camden Arndt; and one brother, Eugene Reichert; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral service is 11 a.m. Friday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, with visitation one hour prior. Friends may also call from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Home for Funerals, 6810 Old Trail Road, Fort Wayne. Interment will follow service in Greenlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or a charity of donor's choice.