Former Wash. State Director Thomas Retterath dies

Former SMART TD (UTU Local 1348) Washington State Legislative Director Thomas R. Retterath died Monday, November 2, 2015 at the Hospice Care Center following a battle with cancer. 

Retterath was drafted and served in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1966. In 1971 he began his railroad career with Burlington Northern Railroad where he worked as a switchman at Longview Switching. In 1984 he was elected as the Washington State Legislative Director for the UTU and he served in that capacity until he retired in 2006. He is remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. 

SMART TD Washington State Legislative Director Herb Krohn said, “Tom Retterath was an extremely popular and respected leader of SMART TD/United Transportation Union. He could be described as a ‘gentle giant.’ From 1984 through 2006 he guided our Washington State Legislative Board as our state director. He led the successful effort to obtain adoption of regulations establishing railroad walkway safety standards in our state.” 

A celebration of his life was held at 2:00 p.m. on November 14 at Evangel Christian Fellowship, 1335 11th Avenue, Longview, WA, 98632.

Donations may be made in Retterath’s honor to the Community Home Health and Hospice, Three Rivers International House of Prayer or Mountain Ministries.

To view his obituary, click here.