Richard L. Ballard

Richard "Dick" Lewis Ballard, known as R.L. in his youth, died on March 3, 2009 of complications of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). Dick was born, January 16, 1930, and raised in Crowell, Foard County, Texas the only child of Gladys Sparks Ballard, originally from Caddo, Indian Territory and Richard "Dick" Ballard originally of St. Joseph, Missouri. Dick graduated from Crowell High School and attended and graduated from Hardin-Simmons University. After his stint in the U.S. Army, Dick returned to Austin, Texas to pursue post-graduate studies at the University of Texas. He met his wife of 53 years, Ann Leahy, while working at Brackenridge Hospital as a lab technician. Dick taught himself Spanish so that he could take advantage of an opportunity to attend medical school at the University of Nuevo Leon in Monterrey Mexico. After he completed his medical degree, Dick and his family returned to Texas to complete his training in Anatomical and Clinical Pathology. Dick practiced medicine in both Austin and McAllen, Texas. Dick is survived by his wife, Ann and three children: Cherie Ballard and her partner, Lacey Mullowney, Roxanne Ballard Rincones and her husband Alberto Rincones and Mark Ballard and his wife Marian Minton Ballard and five grandchildren: Richard "Cameron" Ballard, Roman Ballard, Natasha "Nadya" Ballard, Laura Ballard and Ryan Rincones. Dick was predeceased by an infant daughter, Michelle and two infant grandsons, Patrick Ballard and Jaime Ballard. Dick was a quietly honorable man who thoroughly embraced his passions: his family, the practice of medicine and the search for a great bottle of wine at a reasonable price. Visitation with family and Viewing will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday March 7, 2009 at Emmaus Catholic Parish, 1718 Lohman's Crossing, Lakeway, Texas. Recitation of the rosary will follow at 10:30 a.m. The funeral mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. Following a reception in the church Narthex, there will be an entombment at Assumption Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum in Austin. Our gratitude to VistaCare, Robert Friedman, M.D. and Fran St. Peter, R.N. who led Dick gently to his death. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity, Emmaus P.A.C. fund or to CurePSP (The Society for PSP) at www.curepsp.org or by mail to CurePSP (The Society for PSP), Executive Plaza III, 11350 McCormick Road, Suite 906, Hunt Valley, MD 21031 (please make checks payable to Society for PSP).