Richard E. Wrench was born on January 12, 1935, in El Dorado, Kansas, to Otis and Carol Wrench. He grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, where he graduated from Lawrence High School. Over the years, Dick lived in Nederland, Texas; Anaheim, California; Houston, Texas; and Conroe, Texas.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Kansas and a Master of Science in Engineering from Lamar University.
Dick worked as a Chemical Engineer for 46 years, primarily with M.W. Kellogg. During his career, he performed process design work on Fluid Catalytic Cracking Units in approximately 80 facilities around the world.
He was a devoted member of West Conroe Baptist Church and an active member of the Conroe Bass Club. His hobbies included bass fishing, golf, tennis, and travel. Dick was deeply involved with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as Scoutmaster for Troop 920 in Houston, Texas, from 1977 to 1984. During his tenure, he guided 123 scouts, 19 of whom achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, including his son, Richard Wrench, Jr.
A lifelong fan of Kansas Jayhawk basketball, Dick fondly recalled attending Wilt Chamberlain’s first game at Kansas on December 3, 1956, where Chamberlain scored 52 points and grabbed 31 rebounds in an 87–69 victory over Northwestern University. Throughout his life, he attended countless KU football and basketball games. He especially loved spending time bass fishing with his sons and grandchildren.
Dick is survived by his loving wife, Neva Wrench, and his children: Richard Wrench, Jr. (Lisa), Reagan Wrench (Quinn), Randy Wrench (Lockett), Bruce Bell, and Beverly Allen (George). He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Murphy; grandchildren Kerri Wrench, Daniel Allen (Irina), Dylan Wrench (Eryn), Laura Wrench, Christopher Allen (Taylor), Will Allen (Kaylee), and Rebecca Wrench; and four great-grandchildren with one on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Carol Wrench, and his brother, Don Wrench.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
The Wrench family would like to thank Heritage Oaks Assisted Living for the wonderful care they provided to Dick Wrench.
Dick’s family will welcome visitors to Cashner Funeral Home on Monday, October 27, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Funeral services will follow visitation at 10:00 a.m. Dick will be laid to rest in Garden Park Cemetery after services on Monday. His family would like to invite everyone to a reception after graveside services inside Casher Funeral Home.
