Major General Richard E. Storat, distinguished veteran of the U.S. Army and prominent businessman passed away September 7, 2023, from natural causes at his home in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. The son of Ernest Storat and Edith (Schmitz), Richard ‘Dick’ Storat was born August 20, 1940, in Fountain Hill, PA. MG Storat graduated from Southern Lehigh High School at the top of the class in 1957. MG Storat was also an Associate Professor of Physics at the West Point Military Academy. MG Storat graduated in the top 1% from West Point in 1962 as a Distinguished Cadet. MG Storat served in Vietnam and after ten years of active duty, continued his Army career proudly serving many roles in the Army Reserves for another 20 years. MG Storat earned a Master of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1967 and a Master of Business Administration degree at Lehigh University in 1983. MG Storat returned to active duty to serve in Operation Desert Storm as Brigadier General, leading the 411th Engineering Brigade during the Persian Gulf War. Among his many achievements in the Army, for which he was highly decorated, MG Storat was awarded the Presidential Bronze Star in 1992. MG Storat retired from the US Army with the rank of Major General after more than 38 years of combined active and reserve service.MG Storat excelled in his civilian life much like he did in the Army. His professional accomplishments are too long to list. Earlier in his career, Mr. Storat served in management positions, including strategic planning, energy policy and engineering assignments at Bethlehem Steel, and Babcock and Wilcox. MG Storat spent time serving on the staff of the Energy and Commerce Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. MG Storat supported forestry industry associations, including over 20 years at the Paper Shipping Sack Manufacturers Association after establishing his consulting firm Richard Storat & Associates. Prior, MG Storat was an officer of Gaylord Container Corporation, and had served the American Forest & Paper Association as the forest products industry’s Chief Economist. He managed the industry’s statistical and economic analysis programs and was an unparalleled advisor to numerous organizations and associations. Among many personal interests, MG Storat was passionate about his family time, birdwatching, fishing, and loved trees of all types. He was a life member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Blue Church in Coopersburg, PA, serving as the Council President and as Assisting Minister. He will be remembered for his vast intelligence, patient teaching, thoughtful conversation, and wonderful ‘dad’ humor.
Survivors: MG Storat is survived by his wife of 61 years Susan J. (McFadden); Brother Robert; Son Gregory and Wife Wendy; Granddaughter Krysta and Great-grandson Kowen; Grandsons Zachery and Jordan, and Great-granddaughter Makayla. He is predeceased by Sons Keith and Todd.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, monetary donations in his name can be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Blue Church, located at 5900 Applebutter Hill Road, Coopersburg, PA 18036.