Focht, Richard Charles 1924-2007

FOCHT, TRIPLETT, COLYER, SPILLANE

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes
Date: 2/1/2018 at 15:15:10

Albany Times Union
June 1 and 2, 2007

FOCHT, Richard Charles
BALLSTON LAKE, NY - Richard Charles Focht, 82, of Clifton Park, died suddenly Monday, May 28, 2007. He was working around the house, helping his beloved wife Marjorie, of 62 years, when he was struck by a massive heart attack. Born in Grinnell, Iowa on July 10, 1924, Richard leaves behind his grieving family: wife Marjorie; daughters, Caran Colyer and husband Alan and Lynn Spillane and husband Paul. Their children are Tracey and Kenneth Messercola, daughter Julia, Heather and Paul Fischer, Sean Spillane and Richard Spillane. Other members of the family include Sara and Tom Daumenhaver and Mike Focht. Richard was a fighter pilot in World War II flying P-38 and P-51 fighters, and an Army counter intelligence officer during the occupation of Germany after the war. He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree doctor of law in 1952. He was the assistant county district attorney for Yakima County, Wash. Later, he worked as chief counsel for the Atomic Energy Commission at Hanford, Wash., transferring to Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory as chief counsel in 1962, until he retired in 1984. He was a member of the N.Y. State Bar Association, Washington State Bar Association, Saratoga Bar Association and he was counsel before the United States Supreme Court. His later years were spent enjoying his family and home in Clifton Park. We will all miss him dearly. He truly was an honorable and gentle man. Funeral services in which relatives and friends are invited to attend will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 4, 2007 at the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 Route 9, Clifton Park with the Rev. Megan Stowe officiating. Calling hours will be held on Monday from 12-2 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville with full military honors. Memorial contributions in Richard's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Road, Loudonville, NY 12211.