Victor E. Wichert, a calm and content man throughout his life, died peacefully on Monday, April 8, 2019 in his home in Hopewell, NJ.
Born on August 24, 1936 in Ridgewood, Queens, NYC to Victor and Lillian (Wissemann) Wichert, he studied mathematics at Queens College and New York University, earning his MS in 1960. Victor began his professional career with Western Electric. He and his wife moved to Hopewell in 1961 where they raised their family and where Victor lived with “quiet confidence” for the rest of his life.
In 1965, he began his 33-year long career with Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ. There, as Director, he led the Systems Division and later became a part of Test Development where he earned a US Patent. Victor was an avid pioneer computer programmer and systems designer both at work and at home, beginning with the early IBM PC platform. His analytic abilities coupled with his infinite patience made him a master problem-solver.
Victor was also a talented artist, drawing and painting many works in pencil and oil to bless his children and grandchildren. He brought his imaginative perspective combined with attention to detail to all the art that flowed so easily from his hands. For many years, he contributed his art work to booklets and publications for the Hopewell Presbyterian Church, especially at Christmas time.
Victor’s programming skills and creative artistic abilities culminated in the well-reviewed publication of his Dick Tracy Encyclopedia in 2002. He was also the archivist of the Dick Tracy Fan Club and editor of the Dick Tracy Magazine. His knowledge of the Dick Tracy newspaper comic strip and its author Chester Gould were comprehensive and inexhaustible. Disney collectibles and memorabilia were also among Victor’s favorite interests.
Victor is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy; his three children: Paul and Lynn (Thomson) Wichert of Collegeville, PA; Kristin (Wichert) and Marc Faecher of Berkeley Heights, NJ; Erik Wichert of Plainville, CT and seven grandchildren: David, Jason, Kevin and Emily Wichert and Owen, Brent and Griffin Faecher.
A Service of Remembrance was held on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at the Hopewell Presbyterian Church, 80 W. Broad Str, Hopewell, NJ.
“Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Master” -Matthew 25:21.
Arrangements are by the Wilson-Apple Funeral Home, 2560 Pennington Road, Pennington. Condolences are welcome at www.wilsonapple.com.