Herbert LaTuchie

Herbert LaTuchie

Herbert LaTuchie, of Akron and Longboat Key, Fla., departed with great reluctance from the wonderful life he had enjoyed for 83- plus years, on Sunday, July 13, 2003.

He leaves his loving wife of 21 years, Betty; daughters, Norma Wagner of Columbus, Cheryl McGuire of Munroe Falls, Judith Holder of Ak ron; stepsons, William and Theo dore Zehnder; son-in-law, Chris Wagner; brother, Alan of Denver, Colo.; also seven grandchildren, and many dear friends. Herb was preceded in death by his dear sis ter, Norma Block, and stepson, Terry Zehnder.

Herb was the former owner of Modern Builders Supply and Manu facturing Co. Because of his love for tennis, he became the owner of Parkview Racquet Club in Stow in 1984, now known as the Herb LaTuchie Tennis Center. He also became a licensed auctioneer in his late 60s, after retiring from Modern Builders Supply, closing this business at age 75 due to medical problems.

Herb was a well-known tennis player and official. A nationally ranked senior player, he was nine times the Akron District doubles champion. He also, in 1974, was the Ohio Clay Court and Florida Senior Doubles champ. He was inducted into the Eastern Ohio Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. Herb was ranking chairman for N.E. Ohio Tennis Association for many years as well as president for several years. He was the tournament referee for the only two professional tournaments ever held in Akron, won by Chris Evert and Billie Jean King.

In 1994, Herb authored a book, "Funny Racket," an autobiographical humorous account of his life in tennis. In 2000, in a search for the greatest tennis enthusiast in the country, the U.S. Tennis Association selected him as the "Biggest Tennis Nut" in the United States. Herb considered this a great honor, for which he received national at tention. He also enjoyed exhibiting rare stamps, winning dozens of awards. He loved books and early cartoon and comic strip history.

Herb loved every day and always felt he was lucky to have such a good life.

Private entombment has taken place at Rose Hill Burial Park. A celebration of Herb's life will be held Wednesday, July 16, 2003, at 6 p.m., at the Silva Funeral Home/Rose Hill Chapel, 3653 W. Market St., Fairlawn, Ohio 44333. In lieu of flowers, should friends so wish, memorials may be made to their favorite charity.

(Silva Funeral Home/Rose

Hill Chapel, 330-666-3089.)



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