Home : Volume 23 : Spring 1997 :
Family, friends, college remember an extraordinary student: John Trachte

When asked to describe John Trachte, friends and faculty use a variety of adjectives -- friendly, outgoing, funny -- but one word seems to stand above the rest: Determined.

It was his steadfast determination to earn an electrical engineering degree from UW-Madison that helped Trachte overcome some barriers that would have made many people simply give up.

These obstacles included suffering permanent short-term memory loss from a head-on collision with a drunken driver; shoulder and leg injuries from a motorcycle accident; and, in late 1995, the discovery that he had adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, a fast-spreading form of cancer.

John Trachte, during his student days, relaxes outside of Union South. (43K JPG)

But true to the competitive spirit he exhibited as a lacrosse and recreational hockey player, Trachte accepted each challenge and just kept fighting back. After the first accident, he lightened his course load and enlisted the help of the university's McBurney Disability Resource Center. With the second accident, he remained in school despite the serious injuries. And even the news of terminal cancer didn't get in the way of Trachte's pursuit of a degree. Guidance counselor Linda A. Schilling, who helped Trachte communicate with his professors once he learned of his cancer, says she was truly impressed by his outlook. "The amazing part was that he had such a positive attitude. He was persistent and had such a good sense of humor."

Adjunct Assistant Professor Evelyn Malkus, whose professional expression course Trachte had enrolled in and dropped three times during his last three semesters, says Trachte's struggle to complete the class was purely a physical battle, not a mental one. Though Trachte was only able to attend a limited number of sessions due to chemotherapy and declining health, Malkus says she appreciated his wit and enthusiasm. "Even in his quietest moments he'd come up with a wise crack. It was refreshing."

By fall 1996, it had become virtually impossible for Trachte to attend classes. Although he had obtained more than enough credits to graduate, there was still a question as to whether he had satisfied certain degree requirements, says ECE Department Chair Willis J. Tompkins. That's when Trachte's anesthesiologist, Dr. Robin Gavelin, contacted the college to see if anything could be done to make graduation come early. The doctor knew the long-sought degree could lift Trachte's spirits. By taking a close look at his previous credits, Tompkins and others from within the college determined that Trachte had indeed met the requirements for an electrical engineering degree.

On November 19, surrounded by parents Ken and Katie Trachte, his girlfriend Emily Muehlenkamp, faculty and friends, Trachte was presented his diploma during a special ceremony in Engineering Hall. Wearing a new suit purchased some time ago in anticipation of job interviews, and a Mickey Mouse tie, he took the opportunity to thank all of those who had helped him realize his goal of graduation.

One of about 20 people in attendance at the ceremony was Scott Greene, an electrical and computer engineering research assistant who has known Trachte for about six years. "He looked really good that day," says Greene. "He sounded good, too. I thought, 'he must not really be sick.'"

Over Christmas break, Trachte and Greene got together with mutual friend Brian Johnson, an assistant professor at the University of Idaho who has known Trachte since the two were high school students working at the same Boy Scout camp. Johnson says that since graduating from UW-Madison, he's met numerous people in the electrical engineering field who remember Trachte. Some of those contacts were formed through Trachte's research job at the Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium. "He has friends all over the place, including Germany, Switzerland and Turkey," says Johnson.

An avid Badger sports fan, Trachte watched with buddies Greene and Johnson as the UW football team won the Dec. 27 Copper Bowl. Greene says that it was difficult for Trachte to talk, but when he did, "everyone would get really quiet and wait, kind of like the EF Hutton commercials." Then, he adds, Trachte, in his typical style, would make a witty remark, completely lightening the situation. "We had a lot of fun."

"There are lots of people you meet without ever thinking about the contributions they are making to your life," says Greene. "Something like this makes me realize how much John has contributed to mine."

Note: On February 21, John Trachte passed away at his home in Madison.

Content by perspective@engr.wisc.edu

Date last modified: Wednesday, 09-Apr-1997 12:00:00 CDT

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