When Robert Trax retired from a life of working the fields at his beloved Trax Farms in Finleyville, Pa., three years ago, there was no smile on his face.

Farming “was his passion and his every day thought,” said his son, Bob. “He lived for the farm. I had to retire his equipment to keep him from coming to work. He didn’t think he was ready.”

The elder Mr. Trax — a member of the fourth generation of the Trax family who owns and operates the fruit and vegetable farm that has become a destination point for so many residents in the South Hills — died at his home in Finleyville on Friday. At age 87, he had been diagnosed with cancer just two weeks earlier.

“He wasn’t on any medications up until two weeks ago,” said his son. “He went rapidly, without pain.”

Mr. Trax grew up in a log cabin on the family farm established in 1865. The retail market — famous today for its fresh apple cider, home-grown vegetables and fall pumpkin festival — was added in the mid-1950s.

One of nine family members who own the farm, Mr. Trax was at work “packing things and planting all the way up until he retired,” his son said.

Mr. Trax was active for many years with the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association, serving on the board for nearly two decades.

He also worked with Penn State University developing new varieties of crops — “everything from corn to beans,” his son said.

In 1999, in recognition of a lifetime of achievement in farming, he received a Mid-Atlantic Master Farmer award.

Mr. Trax also enjoyed fishing and hunting, and was an avid skier, a sport he continued into his late 70s.

In addition to his son, he is survived by three daughters, Bonnie Spoto of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Judy Ross and Peggy Coffield, both of Finleyville; a sister, Elizabeth Pust of Granada Hills, Calif.; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Mae, whom he married in 1950.

Visitation is Monday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at David Henney Funeral Home, 6364 Library Road, South Park.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Peters Creek Baptist Church, 6300 Library Road, South Park. Private burial will be in Jefferson Memorial Cemetery.

Patricia Sabatini: PSabatini@post-gazette.com; 412-263-3066.

First Published: February 12, 2017, 5:00 a.m.