Former Oldwick, N.J., resident David Wheeler Troast, 89, passed away Sept. 23.
He graduated from Ridgewood, N.J., High School in Ridgewood, N.J., and earned a degree in economics and political science from Middlebury College. He served as a lieutenant in the Naval Reserve.
He held a variety of sales, sales management and leadership roles at Airco Industrial Gases, ultimately rising to president. Upon Airco’s acquisition by BOC Group, he became group vice president of what was then the largest industrial gas company in the world. After retirement, he remained active in the gas industry and family real estate.
He and his wife, Jeanne, restored a working farm in Oldwick, and they eventually moved to Virginia and Tryon, N.C.
Throughout his life, David had an enduring commitment to community service. His roles included serving as trustee for the March of Dimes Birth Defect Foundation and chairman of the Bath Community Hospital in Hot Springs, VaDespite being a resident of the Tryon area for only two years, he rapidly forged strong relationships within the community as evidenced by the outpouring of love and sympathy from all who knew him upon his passing.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Jeanne Hamilton Troast, and their children: Peter R Troast (Lisa Fahay) of Freeport, Maine; W. David Troast (Criss Troast) of Nantucket; Barbara L Troast (Jay Batley) of San Francisco, Hazel Raby (Michael Anderson) of Round Pond, Maine, Jenna Raby (Bobby Kandaswamy) of Corbett, Ore., and J.C. Raby of San Carlos, CA. He also had five grandchildren—Tucker, Conrad, Margaret, and McKenna Troast and Liam Raby.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be directed to the Foothills Humane Society https://foothillshumanesociety.org/donate/.