War hero comes out of retirement to chair hospital board
Honesdale. Hugh Rechner is an attorney, a former banking professional, a pilot and a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War and earned both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
| 11 Nov 2019 | 03:05
From left: Matthew Meagher; Joann Hudak; Hugh Rechner; William Dewar III, MD, Wayne Memorial Chief of Staff; Wendell Hunt and Frank Borelli. (
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The new chair of the board of trustees for Wayne Memorial Hospital and Health System brings a diversity of skills and experiences to his new post.
Hugh Rechner is an attorney, a former banking professional, a pilot and a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War and earned both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He and his wife, Carol, longtime Honesdale residents, are the parents of three, grandparents of seven and great-grandparents of six.
He was elected by the Hospital/Health System Board after his predecessor, Dirk Mumford, termed out.
Born in Yugoslavia during World War II, Rechner, who is of German descent, and his family spent time in refugee camps before emigrating to the United States in 1949. The family settled on a farm just outside Honesdale. After graduating from Honesdale High School, Rechner joined the U.S. Army, where he trained to be a helicopter pilot. After 20 years in the service, during which time he served two tours of duty in Vietnam and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska and a masters in business administration from the University of Colorado, Rechner retired — for the first time. He then joined Honesdale National Bank, where he served as a vice president and trust officer for 10 years — and retired again.
“Looking for more excitement,” Rechner said.
He decided that the practice of law was his real life’s avocation. In 1994, at the age of 51, he started law school at Temple University. He graduated cum laude in June 1997. Rechner Law welcomed Hugh’s daughter Christine Rechner as a partner in 2003.
Rechner served as a director and chair of the Board of Wayne Woodlands Manor, the System’s long-term care home in Waymart, where his mother also resided for many years. For the past five years, Rechner has been first vice chair of Wayne Memorial Hospital/Health System.
Second vice chair Joann Hudak moves into the first vice chair position, followed by attorney Matt Meagher as second vice chair. Wendell Hunt continues as secretary and Frank Borelli continues as treasurer.