Rex Mchail

Rex R. McHail of Rochester NY (Greece) died peacefully on May 27, 2017. Rex was born to John Clyde McHail and Alice Irene (Robinson) McHail of Bolivar PA on March 12, 1926. He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-five years, Shirley Ann (Frye) McHail, his devoted children: Molly Ann (and David) VerSchage of Rochester, NY, Kevin (and Sonda) McHail of Harrison ID, Alice Ann McHail of Rochester NY, Rex (and Debby) McHail, Jr. of Fairfax VA, nine proud grandchildren: Nicole VerSchage of Rochester NY, Katelyn VerSchage of Rochester NY, Megan VerSchage of Rochester NY, Rachel (and Dillon) Halvorsen of St. Maries ID, Colleen (and Joseph) LaPlante of Fort Riley KS, Patrick McHail of Harrison ID, Daniel McHail of Fairfax VA, Steven McHail of San Francisco CA and Rex R. (and Danielle) McHail, III and their daughter, Rex and Shirley’s first great-granddaughter Brielle Gianna DeSouza McHail of Aldie VA. Mr. McHail was preceded in death by his twin sister, Fay (and Earl) Cochran of Bolivar PA in 2006. Rex is warmly remembered by nephews and nieces: Bruce Cochran of Robinson PA, Christy Nolan of Dallas TX, Jerry Frye of Dallas TX, Tracy Mohri of Dallas TX, and Patrick Frye (deceased).

Rex was proud of his earliest days growing up in Western Pennsylvania as a Boy Scout, earning his Eagle rank and Order of the Arrow brotherhood honors. He continued mentoring Scouts throughout adulthood, culminating with the Silver Beaver Award from the Otetiana Council in Rochester. His skills in navigating, orienteering, signaling and leadership were instrumental in his selection to Quartermaster School when he enlisted in the U. S. Navy immediately after High School graduation during World War II. He served as Quartermaster aboard the U. S. Breeman, DE 104 in the Battle of the Atlantic. Rex was the son of a World War I veteran and the grandson of a Civil War cavalry veteran. After the war, Rex returned to his love of outdoors, earning a Bachelor’s degree from Penn State. He worked with the U. S. Forestry Service in Colorado for some time as a surveyor. During his visits back home to Bolivar PA, his twin sister Fay introduced him to her friend and fellow high school teacher, Shirley Ann Frye of Indiana PA. They were married soon after on June 14, 1952 (Flag Day). The U. S. Navy hired Rex back to service as a civilian in Washington DC to help pioneer the growing field of remote sensing, aerial photography and photointerpretation. Rex and Shirley thoroughly enjoyed the bustling excitement of post-war Washington, meeting new and interesting friends from all over the world. They began their family together in DC, the birthplace of three of their four children. In 1959, Rex and his family relocated to Rochester NY where he accepted a new position with Bausch & Lomb. He traveled the globe as an expert Photogrammetric Engineer. Some of his happiest professional experiences were part of his dedication to the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASP/RS). He was proud to have served the Society and its members for many years, in many capacities, including as its President. One of the first things Rex & Shirley did after moving to Rochester was to enroll their children in St. Charles Borromeo Church, and they have been active in the Church Community ever since.

The Rex McHail many people today know and love truly flourished best after his professional retirement. He applied his lifelong love of the outdoors, nature, and wildlife to his growing fascination with woodcarving. He developed his natural artistic skills and his clever interpretive eye for the unique in what he saw. His passion was waterfowl carving starting early on with studies of “working duck decoys”. He and Shirley loved to watch shorebirds during their winter stays in Cape Canaveral FL near Merritt Island. He studied the varied works of many carving mentors, developing friendships and sharing new ideas all the time. He worked in wood, soap, and stone and spent as much effort displaying a piece’s habitat as the subject itself. In addition to waterfowl, his prize carvings captured the likenesses of rainbow trout, songbirds, hummingbirds, and many others. He was forever grateful to a particularly good friend and carving instructor Dod Rowe. Rex loved to teach. Whether one-on-one with a private student, a grandchild, or a classroom full of eager adults with skills from beginner to expert he emphasized that each person had something special to bring to their personal project. He delighted in helping them discover what that might be. He was a long-time instructor with the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Rex delighted in his membership with the Genesee Valley Woodcarvers and was extremely honored by them recently when his friends there displayed many of his signature carvings at their Carving Show and Competition.

Rex led an uncommonly full and rich life. He will be missed by all who knew him. His legacy will live on with the lessons of genuine enthusiasm, appreciation for nature, and respect for others that he shared especially among family and friends.