Richard and I worked together at the Texas Water Development Board for 26 years, and I always enjoyed listening to his lectures about the hydrogeology of Texas. We coauthored one Board report on the Water Quality of Transboundary Aquifers of the Rio Grande, which my only contribution was as a technical writer and knowledge of water quality. That meant I had to talk to Richard and other prominent hydrogeologist, like David Thorkildsen, about the those aquifers and monitoring wells in them. It also meant that I had to squeeze my way into Richard's office, which had book cases on along every wall with his vast library and rocks on every other floor space. It was not an easy task getting in and out of his office, but Richard knew where every book, technical report, and rock was in his office. He frequently pulled them out to give me a reading assignment on whatever topic we were working on. Occasionally when I made the mistake of leaning back against a book shelf, a book or rock would fall on me to his enjoyment. I told him that his office had a lot of hazards, and he told me that was by design so he could limit people coming into his office. There simply was no other person in the agency with his personality, knowledge, and sense of humor. I will miss him greatly. My condolences to his family and friends.  

Richard will be missed by so many people. He and I had great memories from working together at the Texas Water Development Board and going over these memories at the old timers luncheon on the second Tuesday of each month.
He would always ask how my wife Molly was doing and give her a squeeze from him. What a great friend and boss. He will truly be missed.

I am very sorry to hear of Richard passing. He and I were adult leaders together in Boy Scout Troop 80, in Manchaca, TX from around 1978 to 1990. He was one of the stalwarts of the Troop, attending all the meetings and camp outs, contributing in many ways to our programs. He, and others like him, are the reason for Scouting's success in helping young boys grow into young men, as successful, contributing members of society. He will always be remembered by the Troop 80 family. Thank you, Richard.

Richard was a Living Legend, as he gave time and resources to provide for a true scouting experience. He was tough, yet compassionate in everything he did. I respected him and learned a lot from him, as I look back on those days, it was truly one of the best times of my life. My prayers are with the Preston family as they mourn their loss.

Mr. Preston was one of my long time assistant Scoutmasters, and gave countless hours to our Troop as he helped provide a quality program for myself and numerous other boys. From vacations given to the Troop, to weekends, etc, Mr. Preston invested in us to an extent the majority of the dad's did not.   For that I am very grateful, and salute a life well lived.   

I have enjoyed reading the other comments about Mr. Preston.   Frankness, honesty, and a propensity to tell it like it is are exactly the characteristics I remember.  

Godspeed Sir.  

We will miss Richard deeply here at his homeplace, the Texas Water Development Board. Richard was a fixture at work from times past when his deep and thorough understanding of Texas geology and hydrogeology mixed with his irascible spirit and energy. He often invoked the millions of Texans as being his true bosses whenever some administrative bugaboo would emerge to torment his free spirit. I will especially miss his earnest chats about whatever idea or memory was foremost in his mind as he made his rounds visiting colleagues after he retired. He was particularly fond of discussing his wife Judy and children, as well as recounting his childhood memories of travels and education.

Judy
Sylvia and I wish to extend our sincere condolences to you and the family for your loss. 
Richard was a good friend and will be missed by all who knew him!

Richard's personality and knowledge were legendary at the Texas Water Development Board. I had an office next to him for a time in the latter part of his career, and there wasn't a difficult or obscure water question he couldn't answer. One day, on the phone with a West Texas city, I heard him miraculously recalling when the city drilled its wells (some 25 years previous), how deep they were, and their water quality, all off the top of his head. You didn't need a database with Richard around!

I also had the pleasure of managing Richard, which was not without its challenges. One day, maybe a month or so after management promoted me to lead the team Richard worked in, he came into my office, sat down, scowled, and said: "I'm still making up my mind as to whether or not I like you." After an awkward silence, I said: "Well, let me know what you conclude." 

Richard was lovably cantankerous, although he could be downright ornery if he didn't like you. Fortunately, he decided he liked me, and we got along--for the most part--famously. One reason we bonded was that we shared a love of science and hydrology, solving problems for Texans, and approaching the world with youthful curiosity and energy.  Richard would often say: "This is my body, but up here," pointing to his head, "I still feel like I'm 18!" As I get older, I hear those words more and more...

The story--at least the way Richard told it--was that he was forced to retire once his wife figured out he would make more money sitting at home than going to the office. So after some 37 years of working for the agency, Richard retired. That was tough for him and for us at the office. Richard would always remind me that he didn't work for me, my boss, or my boss's boss; he worked for the 26 million people (at the time) in the great state of Texas. Shortly after retiring, Richard made the local paper for looking like the humorist John Kelso and sitting in the back of his pick-up truck along I-35 counting Suburbans (a favorite pastime of his).

I know Richard loved his family, both at home and at the office. He continued to stay in touch with close friends at the Board. From time-to-time, I'd bump into him at oldtimers get-together at Schulz's Garten. I was always happy to hear Richard's voice and enjoy the warm envelope of his enthusiasm. I will miss him greatly.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Richard Daniel Preston

19 octobre 1941 – 12 juillet 2017

Cook-Walden Funeral Home

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