Richard M. Traut, a former longtime Hinsdale resident, passed away Jan. 26, 2025, in Burr Ridge.
Richard was born in 1933 in Oak Park to Dr. Eugene Fagan and Wilma Wiseman Traut, one of seven children.
"Dick" was an active young man playing many sports including football, basketball, baseball and running track as well as being expected to work during summers but also getting to regularly enjoy Lake Geneva, Wis.
After graduating from Oak Park-River Forest High School having lettered and being a captain in three sports, he received a congressional appointment to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1951.
Upon graduation in 1955, Dick was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army. In 1956 Dick married Charron Follett of River Forest, a successful stage actress who worked professionally in New York and Chicago. After being honorably discharged from the army Dick worked for his uncle running road construction crews until his father-in-law persuaded him to join the Follett family business and the couple moved to Hinsdale to raise their family.
At Follett Corp., Dick began his career at the Follett College Book Co., eventually becoming its president and growing it significantly with his team over 20 plus years. He then became chairman over all of Follett Corp. and retired from that position in 1999.
Dick and Charron were very active at the Theatre of Western Springs over many years, she as an actress and he behind the scenes in many roles, including serving on its board of governors multiple times. Dick also established the Theatre of Western Springs Foundation in 2006.
Dick, while not living his life as a military man, he very much believed in the motto of West Point: "Duty, Honor, Country." He was known to have very high standards for himself and others but also for being an extremely considerate, kind and thoughtful person by not only his family and friends but also those he worked and did business with throughout out his life.
He is survived by his children, Christopher D. (Lee) Traut and Sabrina T. (Patrick) Usher; his grandchildren, Benjamin and Catherine Traut, and Alexandra, Samantha, James and Christopher Usher; his siblings, Julianna (Bob) Hummel, Mary (Gene) Sullivan, Sarah (David) McConnell, Martha (Tim) Onkka; and many nieces and nephews.
Richard is preceded in death by his daughter, Victoria Anne Traut; his wife, Charron Follett Traut; his sister, Valerie (Edward) Lyon; and his brother, David (Rosemary) Traut.
Visitation is at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 64 Norfolk Avenue, Clarendon Hills.
A funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. Family and friends are invited to a celebration luncheon after the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Foundation of the Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave., Western Springs, IL 60558.
Brian Powell Funeral Directors of Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
