Mitchell Paul Reckner

1981 - 2025

On Saturday, January 11, 2025, Mitchell Paul Reckner suddenly left this world taking with him so many talents and gifts that the hole left by his departure is felt deeply by those who knew him best.

Born June 3, 1981, Mitch came into this life with an inquisitive mind and spirit that drove him to excel at whatever project or activity he shouldered. His first words were rumored to be, "Go Cubs!" cementing baseball as his first love. An accomplished athlete throughout high school and college, he handled both wins and losses with unparalleled grace and class. Following an injury his senior year of college, he turned his focus to mechanical engineering, graduating from Penn State Behrend, and rising to the top of his field at FMC Technologies. Working for FMC, his career took him all over the world from Siberia, to Norway, to India, and South America. Mitchell had seven patents to his credit at FMC and completely reinvented a way to detect weaknesses in pipelines by utilizing sound waves. He liked to say that his work affected nearly the entire population on a daily basis and took great pride in knowing he made things safer and more efficient. There were very few things he couldn't fix, and gave his time and skills freely to anyone who needed help. He could frequently be found fixing a car, mowing a lawn, babysitting his niece, or building a deck, always accompanied by his faithful and loyal husky, Wrigley, who may be feeling his absence most of all.

He is survived by too many because he departed too soon. As we move through our grief, let anyone who thinks of Mitch smile at the crack of a bat and never be afraid to make the first cut. The family will hold a private celebration of life at a yet-to-be determined time.