The passing of a legend…

The Franklin Fire Company #4 regrets to inform our followers and the citizens we serve of the passing of former Fire Chief and past President Richard Trace. He passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2024 in Mercy House of Chambersburg.
Rich transferred from the Good Will Fire Company to the Franklin Fire Company on June 2, 1970. He faithfully served the fire company and our community as a firefighter, apparatus driver, and in multiple officer positions during his time. Rich served as President and Fire Chief during 3 separate decades.
President 1971, 1984-1989, 1993-1999
Fire Chief 1976 and 1977
Rich was also a professional firefighter for 44 years. The Trace family has a long history in the Chambersburg fire service with Rich’s father Ken, all four of his brothers, Ken, Sam, James and Larry along with two nephews, John and Mark, serving as volunteers.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time!
•Obituary Information•
Richard L. Trace, 83, of Chambersburg, PA passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2024 in Mercy House of Chambersburg. Born June 24, 1941 in Chambersburg he was the son of the late Kenneth O. and Mary F. (Carper) Trace.
He was a graduate of Chambersburg Area Senior High School with the Class of 1959. Rich then went on to serve with the United States Army during Vietnam from October 13, 1966 until his honorable discharge October 5, 1968.
Rich was a professional firefighter for the Chambersburg Fire Department retiring in 2009 after 44 years of dedicated service to his community. He was volunteer firefighter at Franklin Fire Company, Station 4, throughout his lifetime. He was a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters and the VFW Post 1599 in Chambersburg.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Theresa A. (Gilbert) Trace who he married April 23,
1977; two children, Melissa M. Stottlemyer and her husband, Aaron of College Station, TX and
Joseph R. Trace and his wife Emily of Greencastle, PA; six grandchildren, Nolan, Elynn,
Molly Stottlemyer and Lana, Lochlan and Finely Trace; two brothers, Kenneth W. Trace and
Larry E. Trace and his wife Linda both of Chambersburg; and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by two brothers, Samuel D. Trace and James C. Trace
Services will be held 10 a.m., Monday, December 30, 2024 in the Chapel of the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202 with his son Joseph R. Trace officiating.
Burial will follow in Lincoln Cemetery, Chambersburg where military honors will be conducted by the Honor Guard of the Charles Nitterhouse VFW Post 1599, Chambersburg.
The family will receive friends from 5 until 8 p.m. Sunday evening as well as one hour prior to
the service Monday morning in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Franklin Fire Company Station 4, 158 W King St Chambersburg

Memorial Contributions

Contributions in honor of Richard Trace can be sent to Franklin Fire Co. The family has requested no flowers. 

Loading...