Richard G. Kregel

Richard was born the youngest of three children in the Bronx Borough of New York City, on June 18, 1931, to Alfred and Florence (Heeseman) Kregel growing up at 1630 Taylor Ave. His mother Florence died when Richard was six. After his father’s remarriage, “Richie” and his elder siblings were raised and loved dearly by their stepmother Elizabeth “Betty” (Greene) Kregel. Richard was baptized at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Manasquan, New Jersey where his maternal grandparents lived and confirmed at St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on Adams St. Surrounding him in the neighborhood were his paternal grandparents along with an extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. During his teen years he worked at the burger stand near the Reptile House at the Bronx Zoo and always considered himself “a poor kid from the Bronx.”

Richard planned to become a draftsman after attending Haaren High School in Manhattan, however, a school counselor said “no” and persuaded him to further pursue his education. In 1952 he graduated cum laude from City College of New York with a degree in civil engineering and was a member of both Chi Epsilon and Tau Beta Pi Honor Societies.

Upon graduation Richard was drafted during the Korean War into the Army Corp of Engineers. Following completion of his service, Richard was hired by Standard Vacuum Oil in New York and offered an overseas assignment to Yokohama, Japan. During that time, he traveled throughout Asia and even climbed Mt. Fuji. He met his future wife, Ethel Hauge, at the Lutheran Services Center during his excursions to Tokyo.

Richard moved to Saigon, South Vietnam with Stand Vac and resided with four other expatriates. While back in the states for a six-month stateside assignment, he and Ethel continued their friendship and would meet up whenever she flew into New York City as a stewardess with Northwest Orient Airlines. On September 27, 1958, Dick and Ethel were married at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes, Minn. Together they returned to Saigon, enjoyed an active social life, and became parents to the first of their four children.

Returning stateside, Richard pursued a career with Texaco, relocating with his family several times and eventually retired with Texaco in Houston, TX in 1988. He became a registered Professional Engineer in the states of Missouri and Texas, published articles for the American Petroleum Institute (API), and was a former president of the Texas Association of Environmental Professionals.

As he would contently say to his children, “Busy People are Happy People” and he continued to follow that principle throughout his life. In retirement, Richard consulted for Texaco in Jamaica, served as a member of the Harris County Appraisal Board, and volunteered at the Houston Zoo. He very much enjoyed investing and was a member of the Louetta Investment Club. He and Ethel were both extensive readers, passionate bridge players, and enjoyed exploring for antiques. However, tennis was his passion, and he loved the game, playing every week with his tennis group well into his eighties.

Both Dick and Ethel were active members of Kinsmen Lutheran Church in Houston for over 40 years. He and Ethel enjoyed traveling, especially cruising. On numerous occasions Richard would help organize his tennis buddies, their bridge groups, and fellow members of Kinsmen Church on excursions around the world.

He was a beloved husband, loving father, uncle, and grandfather, and remained lifelong friends with so many. He maintained a keen interest in the lives of his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and enjoyed social and family gatherings. He was an outgoing, gregarious individual with a large circle of friends around the world.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife Ethel; his youngest son Jay; parents Alfred, Florence and Elizabeth Kregel; his brother Alfred; and sister Doris. Survivors include sons Jeffrey of Houston, and Jon (Shelli) of Austin; his daughter, Joan (Rick) Fleischer of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Jackson) Somers, Christina Fleischer, and Daniel Kregel; his nieces and nephews, their children, and spouses.

A memorial will be held at the Village of Gleannloch Farms Chapel, Monday March 18th at 10:00. Richard will be interned at Houston National Cemetery alongside his wife Ethel, and close to his son Jay. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to his hospice and caregiving teams for the care Dick received during his struggle with Parkinson’s disease the last 2 years of his wonderful life. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Richard & Ethel Kregel Regents’ Scholarship at Texas A&M.