Obituary for Richard Leslie Traxel
Richard Leslie Traxel passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 25th, 2024 in Medicine Hat, Alberta after a long battle with cancer and IPF. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.
Richard was born in Cardston, Alberta on January 12, 1946, the son of John Traxel and Irene Cahoon Traxel. He is survived by his loving wife, Jacqueline “Jackie” Kirk; daughter, Jenna (Jesh Gibson) Traxel; son, Stuart Kirk; brother, Allen (Barb) Traxel; sister, Carolyn Traxel Laurin; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his first wife, Kathleen "Kathy" Isoardi Traxel, originally from Roanoke, Illinois.
Richard was an avid fisherman with a passion for camping, boating and travelling. In his childhood, Richard lived in Schuler, Leavitt, Welling, and Cardston, Alberta. Growing up, he spent time with his father fishing, playing pranks on his friends, and playing baseball and basketball. His passion for fishing and sports continued throughout his life. He loved fishing throughout Southern Alberta, Manitoba, BC, the Caribbean, and Mexico. He enjoyed watching sports with friends, participating in football pools and playing QB1.
In 1965, Richard joined the Canadian Armed Forces, serving as a medic until 1967. Richard earned a BSc in Zoology in 1973 and an MSc in Biological Sciences in 1977, both from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, where he met his first wife. Upon graduation, Richard and Kathy taught in small towns throughout Alberta, eventually settling in Medicine Hat where they taught biology and chemistry at Medicine Hat and Crescent Heights High Schools. They were married in 1985 and Jenna was born shortly afterwards.
Throughout Jenna’s childhood, the family camped around Alberta, BC, and throughout the US. Almost every year, they took a road trip to spend time with Kathy’s family in Central Illinois. Richard and the Isoardi clan loved each other as family and the bond between them remained constant throughout his life. Jenna and her father had a very close bond, they kept in contact almost every day and not only were they family, but they were also best friends.
After retirement, Richard enjoyed travelling, golfing, camping, music, photography and of course, fishing. He met Jackie in 2002. Sharing a love of golf and travel, they took memorable trips throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, South Africa, and Mexico. They were married in 2011.
As the son he never had, Richard embraced his role as father to Jackie’s son, Stuart, and loved teaching him the art of flyfishing. They shared a love of camping, playing games and cheering on their beloved Blue Jays.
Richard will be remembered by his friends and family as a devoted father and husband, for his sense of humour, his love of adventure and his kind nature. Jackie will always cherish the time they had together, not just the many trips and wonderful adventures but the day-to-day companionship and love they shared. Playing cards, cooking together, watching the birds (Richard knew the names of each!); there was never a dull moment when they were together.
A private interment will be held in the spring for family. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to donate in his memory can do so to the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre, Alberta Cancer Foundation, 710, 10123-99 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3H1, 1-866-412-4222, albertacancer.ca/in-memory
or Carmel Hospice at St. Joseph’s Home, 156 – 3rd Street NE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5M1. Richard’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of both clinics for the excellent care he received over the past few years and in his final days. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Richard Traxel.
Richard was born in Cardston, Alberta on January 12, 1946, the son of John Traxel and Irene Cahoon Traxel. He is survived by his loving wife, Jacqueline “Jackie” Kirk; daughter, Jenna (Jesh Gibson) Traxel; son, Stuart Kirk; brother, Allen (Barb) Traxel; sister, Carolyn Traxel Laurin; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his first wife, Kathleen "Kathy" Isoardi Traxel, originally from Roanoke, Illinois.
Richard was an avid fisherman with a passion for camping, boating and travelling. In his childhood, Richard lived in Schuler, Leavitt, Welling, and Cardston, Alberta. Growing up, he spent time with his father fishing, playing pranks on his friends, and playing baseball and basketball. His passion for fishing and sports continued throughout his life. He loved fishing throughout Southern Alberta, Manitoba, BC, the Caribbean, and Mexico. He enjoyed watching sports with friends, participating in football pools and playing QB1.
In 1965, Richard joined the Canadian Armed Forces, serving as a medic until 1967. Richard earned a BSc in Zoology in 1973 and an MSc in Biological Sciences in 1977, both from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, where he met his first wife. Upon graduation, Richard and Kathy taught in small towns throughout Alberta, eventually settling in Medicine Hat where they taught biology and chemistry at Medicine Hat and Crescent Heights High Schools. They were married in 1985 and Jenna was born shortly afterwards.
Throughout Jenna’s childhood, the family camped around Alberta, BC, and throughout the US. Almost every year, they took a road trip to spend time with Kathy’s family in Central Illinois. Richard and the Isoardi clan loved each other as family and the bond between them remained constant throughout his life. Jenna and her father had a very close bond, they kept in contact almost every day and not only were they family, but they were also best friends.
After retirement, Richard enjoyed travelling, golfing, camping, music, photography and of course, fishing. He met Jackie in 2002. Sharing a love of golf and travel, they took memorable trips throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, South Africa, and Mexico. They were married in 2011.
As the son he never had, Richard embraced his role as father to Jackie’s son, Stuart, and loved teaching him the art of flyfishing. They shared a love of camping, playing games and cheering on their beloved Blue Jays.
Richard will be remembered by his friends and family as a devoted father and husband, for his sense of humour, his love of adventure and his kind nature. Jackie will always cherish the time they had together, not just the many trips and wonderful adventures but the day-to-day companionship and love they shared. Playing cards, cooking together, watching the birds (Richard knew the names of each!); there was never a dull moment when they were together.
A private interment will be held in the spring for family. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to donate in his memory can do so to the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre, Alberta Cancer Foundation, 710, 10123-99 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3H1, 1-866-412-4222, albertacancer.ca/in-memory
or Carmel Hospice at St. Joseph’s Home, 156 – 3rd Street NE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5M1. Richard’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of both clinics for the excellent care he received over the past few years and in his final days. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Richard Traxel.