Richard John Olchak

Richard John Olchak, 77, of Mount Airy, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on November 19th, 2020 after a short battle with leukemia.  Richard was born on February 28th, 1943 to John Olchak and Mary (Dubinsky) Olchak in Donora, Pennsylvania.  After graduating in 1960 from Monessen High School, where he was a National Merit Scholar and a clarinetist in the marching band, he went on to study Chemical Engineering at Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon University) as well as Mathematics at Gannon College (now Gannon University) in Erie, Pa.  Richard met the love of his life, Susan (Barr) Olchak on a blind date in Erie, Pennsylvania.  They were married in 1966.  After teaching math in Baltimore County, Maryland, he was accepted into the actuarial program at Travelers where he became an Associate of the Society of Actuaries.  He later switched fields to become a pension actuary working in Pittsburgh, Omaha, Greensboro and Winston-Salem before his retirement.  Richard and Susan moved to Mt. Airy and found a supportive community at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and a home dojo at Mt. Airy Martial Arts.  He earned a second-degree black belt in Isshinryu Karate and studied sword technique under sensei Eric Latza.  Richard was an avid writer, car enthusiast, runner (including in “The Great Race” in Pittsburgh), actor and storyteller.  He was a devoted hometown Pittsburgh fan and religiously watched every Steelers game he could.  He will always be remembered as a beloved husband and an adored father.  He was kind, loving, strong, patient and taught gentle lessons every day about what it means to be a good man, a good husband, and a good human being.  Richard is survived by his wife of 53 years, Susan Olchak, and his son, John Olchak married to daughter-in-law Kristin (Shelton) Olchak and son, James Olchak married to daughter in-law Rhonda (Storms) Olchak.  Due to the Covid-19 pandemic there will be no service at this time.  Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the Olchak family.