Richard Patrick McNerney

Long time Houstonian, Richard Patrick McNerney (Dick), age 87, passed away in Denver, CO on December 21, 2020 of generally declining health exacerbated by COVID-19. He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia, parents Edward and Helen McNerney, and siblings: Ruth (Kress), Edward, David, and Susan (Mauro).

Dick is survived by his daughter Bridget McNerney, his son Timothy McNerney and wife Erin, and the delight of his life, granddaughter Ellie, and a very large extended family.

Born in the city of Lowell, MA, Dick was the fourth of five children. His family moved to Cincinnati when he was two and then settled in Houston several years later, where he attended St. Thomas High School. He was awarded a Navy ROTC scholarship and graduated from Miami University in Ohio with a commission as an Ensign in the Navy. After his Navy service, he earned a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin. As a member of the Air National Guard, he flew training missions at Kelly Air Force Base, and met Patricia Flaherty, an Air Force nurse whose hometown coincidentally was also Lowell, MA. They married a few years later and shortly thereafter, his reserve unit was activated, and Richard was deployed to Tuy Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. During this time, he flew over 200 combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medals and campaign ribbons.

After returning home from Vietnam, Dick joined Pat and their new son Tim in Albuquerque. In 1970 the family moved to Houston where he took a job with Vector Cable Company, a division of Schlumberger that made equipment for exploration in the oil and gas industries. Shortly thereafter, Dick and Pat were graced with their daughter, Bridget. Dick remained with Vector for 24 years, during which time he was granted five patents for his research and design work.

After retiring, Dick continued his ongoing set of “improvements and repairs” on the Cliffwood house for many years. After Pat’s death in 2015, he moved into independent living in Houston under the watchful eyes of his nieces and then later moved into assisted living in Denver to be closer to his daughter, Bridget. In his short time in Denver, his constant smile and gentle demeanor won over the staff who kept him in an endless supply of chocolate ice-cream and John Wayne movies.

Dick was an avid gardener, and all who knew him coveted his grapefruit and amaryllis which he generously shared. He also enjoyed an occasional beer of his own unique concoction in his early years and craft IPA’s in his later ones. These were mostly enjoyed in the company of friends and family. He was not one to talk to excess, but when he did, he displayed his sharp wit and keen intellect. He was a man of integrity, courage, and generosity and will be missed greatly by all who had ever met him. Funeral services will be held at Houston National Cemetery at a later date.