13 replies to this topic

[GaryM]

I'm sorry to announce that Jim Reichert Sr. has passed. Does anyone remember him? I do. I remember the day I picked up one of my Questars from him in New Hope. He had personally inspected the telescope to be sure it was perfect. It was funny when he commented on his humble desk and said, this is the best I get here :-) After he retired and every time I spoke with his son, Jim Jr., I would ask how his father was doing. The answer was always, very well. I believe he was in his early 90's. We have also lost Paul Schenkle a while back. He was the one I bought my very first Questar from back around 1974. I still have one his personal, handwritten letters he wrote to me about colored glass filters. I believe he joined Questar back in the 60's. I know it's part of life, but it's so very sad to see people leave this world.

 

 

With sympathy for Jim Jr., his family, and all that new Jim Sr.,

Gary Moors

 

 

 

[Larry Geary]

My early dealings with Questar for service and such back in the 1980s were with Jim Reichert Sr. My condolences to Jim Jr. and the family.

[RMay]

I met Jim Sr during my visit to Questar in 1983. My condolences to Jim Jr and the family.

Ron

[Erik Bakker]

Thank you for sharing his passing here. So sorry to hear that.

 

May Jim Reichert Sr. rest in peace. He has contributed immensely to Questar and it’s customers. May his friends and family find some comfort in that.

 

Wishing them all the best for times to come. And may his Questar legacy live on in Jim Jr.

[GaryM]

I'm wondering, does anyone have any photos of him? It would be nice to see him again. My memories of him are not so good.

 

What years did he work for Questar?

[Gregory Gross]

One of the small but significant things that I liked about Lawrence Braymer's early magazine advertising was the way in which he featured those who helped him create the telescopes we all prize.

 

One ad featured Mr. Reichert working alongside Peter Dodd, who, incidentally, was Marguerite Braymer's son and Lawrence Braymer's stepson. This particular example appeared in the December 1961 issue of Natural History magazine:

 

 

Another ad that Questar published in the February 1961 issue of Sky and Telescope featured Ernest Arndt, who was Questar's master mechanic, and Gerald Fegley, an independent machinist that produced many of the parts that went into Questar telescopes:

 

 

I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Reichert in person, but I have the strong impression that Questar as a business has always operated like a family. My sincerest condolences to Mr. Reichert, Jr., and everyone at Questar upon Mr. Reichert's passing.

[Gregory Gross]

Another photo -- this one taken around 1977 appeared in an article in the March 1979 issue Photomethods magazine. With most everyone else at Questar at the time, Mr. Reichert, Sr., appears second from the right:

 

 

[Mike Allen]

Great pictures Gregory.  Thanks.

 

My deepest sympathy to Jim Reichert Jr. and his family.

[GaryM]

Hey Greg, thanks so much for sharing the photos!

 

I wonder who all we can identify in that group photo? I think that's Douglas Knight near the Q7? I remember going to the Questar 50th anniversary party in New Hope and he gave the keynote speech. Maybe Paul Shenkle is in there somewhere?

[Optics Patent]

Greg, your historian's perspective and knowledge is greatly appreciated.

[R Botero]

I am sorry to hear the news and my condolences to Jim Jr. and his wider family. A life well lived! Great photos and historic notes.

Roberto

Edited by R Botero, 21 April 2023 - 02:25 AM.

[Sacred Heart]

I did not know Jim Sr, only knew Jim Jr.   Jim, my condolences to you and your family.

 

Greg thanks for sharing this.

 

Joe

[LKSM12]

My condolences to Jim Reichert Jr. and his family on the loss of Jim Sr.

Ben Funk

[bulletdodger]

There is his essence of effort in each of our Questars which will make him live on for many generations.