Richard A. Tylka

Richard Allen Tylka of Angier, NC, passed away peacefully in Raleigh with family at his bedside following a 35-year struggle with heart disease. Son of the late Michael Leo Tylka and Clara Julia (Kurincak) Tylka, Richard was born February 1, 1935 in Standard Shaft, a small rowhouse village near Mt. Pleasant, PA. He was preceded in death by his sister, Dr. Eleanor Tylka, a prominent pediatrician who lived in Upper St. Clair, PA, at the time of her death. He grew up in the small coal mining town of Ronco about an hour south of Pittsburgh. His parents later moved to Carmichaels, PA, where they spent nearly 40 years creating warm and lasting memories for their children and grandchildren. In 1953 Richard chose to serve his country by enlisting in the Army during the Korean War. After training at Ft. Knox, KY, he was stationed at Fort Devens, MA, as a cryptanalyst. Quickly learning the emerging technologies, he became an instructor in the important codebreaking skillset which was leveraged throughout the Cold War era. Honorably discharged in 1956, he then earned a BS Degree in Math and Science from California University of PA and a Masters Degree in Education: Principals Program from West Virginia University. He began his career as a high school math teacher at Groveton High School (now West Potomac High School) in Alexandria, VA, where he met his future bride, an English teacher from Morgantown, WV, Janice Elaine (DeVault) Tylka now of Angier. United in marriage at the former St. Mary’s Church in Leckrone, PA on May 27, 1961, they were married nearly 59 years. Richard’s wonderful life will be honored by the lives of his 4 children: Karen (Tylka Zaruba) Feller (and husband Phil Feller) of Chapel Hill, NC, Jacqueline Tylka of Angier, NC, Richard Tylka Jr. of Columbus, OH, and Michael Tylka (and wife Michele) of Raleigh, NC; 10 grandchildren: Daniel Tylka (and wife Sarah), Anastasia Tylka (and fiancé Ian Carson), Clayton, Nicholas, and Jonathan Tylka, Jennifer and Neil Zaruba, Andrew, Evan, and Megan Tylka. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Jacqueline (Ray) Falker and Jean (the late Richard) DeVault; and 1 aunt, Louisa (the late Frank) Tylka; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and his mother-in-law Wanda Harold, who turned 100 years old this year. Professionally Richard transferred his technical and teaching skills to a career in computing and was part of the earliest era of commercial data processing beginning as Data Processing Instructor at RCA Corporation in Washington D.C. in the early 1960s. He became proficient in early computer machine language, punch cards, and later Assembler language and COBOL. As Instructor at Forbes Trail Tech, Allegheny County Schools, Pittsburgh, PA, he designed (possibly the first) computer programming curriculum for high school students. He was a charter member of the Pittsburgh franchise of one of the country’s first computer technical schools, the Institute of Computer Management (later a Division of Litton Industries). “ICM for IBM” was a theme shared by his students. As National Education Director for ICM, he travelled across the US to many of their satellite schools. Next employed as Sr. Systems Analyst, he was charged with automating West Virginia University’s data. Like many professionals in this new computer management field, he was employed at several companies and changed roles working for Univac and Incoterm before working on the development of modems and automated banking at Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh. Richard lived for several years in the Delmont/Export, PA area and, in 1976, he moved his family to Lancaster, OH, south of Columbus where he was Senior Systems Analyst in Finance and Business at OCLC a non-profit corporation (Online Computer Library Center) until his disabling heart attack in 1985. Technology had a part to play throughout his life. In childhood Richard spent hours listening to radio programs such as “The Shadow” on his parents’ 1937 Zenith radio with his sister and he converted an old backyard chicken coop into a photographic darkroom. In the early 1970s, his children recall him bringing home large computer equipment on which they used to play games such as hangman and battleship (years before the personal home computer). They later learned that he had developed these games on his own just for them. He became an early adopter of Satellite TV, and more recently hosted children, grandchildren and even a few cats to movie nights with Netflix. Although he was forced to retire at age 50, the OCLC Disability and Pension benefits along with the miracles of modern medicine and technology helped Richard enjoy a lengthy period with his family and loved ones following his successful career. He took to the art of grandparenting very well, always coming up with ideas such as making a player statue for baseballs to be thrown at, making a pulley for targets to be moved across a creek for bb guns and using his craftmanship to build treehouses for the kids. In retirement he also became the family cook and baker. He was famous for his homemade pies. It was not uncommon for an apple pie to accompany him on a regular doctor visit as well as to family events. In 1999 he started making wine from backyard grapes and he continued that hobby to the present. Before his heart attack, he completed many home improvement projects which he called therapy. He told entertaining stories of his past in Ronco and the Army and documented many of his memories in “My Recollections of Ronco”. “PapPap” as he was affectionately known by his grandkids (and many others) enjoyed, reading, beach vacations, fishing, watching TV in his recliner, playing an occasional game of chance, and leading the family through a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner celebration each year. He and Jan spent 23 winter seasons enjoying the northern Gulf Coast of Florida and Alabama. Richard was a lifelong Roman Catholic and parishioner of Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh. He was a member of the American Legion for over 60 years. Being mindful of the medical guidelines of Covid-19, public visitation is postponed and a memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date at Visitation Church in Mt Pleasant PA, with interment to follow in Transfiguration Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Mt. Pleasant American Legion Honor Guard. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brooks Funeral Home, 406 East Washington St., Mt Pleasant, as well as Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Garner, North Carolina. To offer a condolence or remembrance please visit www.brooksfuneralhomes.com and In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Richard to the Hospice Home where he enjoyed visits with his family and received exceptional 24 hour care. Donations may be made in his name to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC, 27607 (www.transitionslifecare.org) or to your local Hospice Care.