The College of Education is sad to announce that associate professor emeritus Dr. John Trach passed away on December 9, 2023.
Trach was an alumnus of the College, earning a Ph.D. from the Department of Special Education in 1989. He remained at Illinois on Faculty in the Departments of Special Education and Community Health & Rehabilitation. He retired in 2012 after 23 years at Illinois.
His research focused on access to community opportunities for persons with disabilities, including supported employment program implementation, personnel preparation, and transition policy development. He was very proud of the many students he mentored who took leadership positions in government, higher education, and community service worldwide.
Dr. Trach was highly regarded for his expertise in cognitive disabilities and transition, and he won several national awards for pre-service and in-service professional development innovations. He served as the Director of the National Rehabilitation Services Administration Region V Community Rehabilitation Providers - Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program.
After retiring from Illinois, John and his wife Lizanne relocated to Georgia, where he was an active Master Gardener and an avid cyclist. He enjoyed traveling and researching his family history, which included a 2018 visit to his family homestead in Ukraine.
A memorial service is planned for June 1, 2024, in Monessen, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Rails to Trails Conservancy or the charity of your choice.
