Richard A. Obenhaus

Richard A. (Dick) Obenhaus passed away on Friday, January 20, 2006. Dick was born November 9, 1920 in Chehalis, Washington to Rev. G. A. Obenhaus and Clara Ramming Obenhaus. When he was two months old his family moved to Wichita Falls, Texas and later to Clifton, Texas. His childhood was spent in Clifton. After graduation from Clifton High School in 1938, he enrolled in The University of Texas at Austin. In July 1942, Dick graduated with a B. S. in Petroleum Engineering from The University of Texas. That same month he received a commission as Ensign in the U. S. Navy and married Hazel Jewel Williams of Carthage, Texas. During WWII, Dick served as an engineering officer and deep sea diver aboard the USS Ortolan, in the Pacific Theater. He remained in the U. S. Naval Reserve and retired as Lt. Commander after twenty years of service. Following WWII, Dick worked for Magnolia Oil in east Texas and later moved to Austin where he was President and General Manager of Modern Floors. He was also involved with real estate investments. Dick was a faithful Christian and a member of St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas. He was an avid golfer and UT fan. Dick enjoyed all outdoor sports especially those involved with boating. He was a member of the Austin Power Squadron serving as Commander from 1981-82. While living on Lake Travis, Dick spent many happy hours growing and tending his bougainvilleas and other plants. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. G. A. Obenhaus and Clara Ramming Obenhaus; two brothers, Victor and Gerhardt; and two sisters, Esther Obenhaus and Clara Lee Nichols. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Hazel Williams Obenhaus; daughter Vaughn Gross and husband William D. Gross, Dallas, Texas; son Dick Obenhaus and wife Patti Obenhaus, Austin; son Joe Kelly Obenhaus, Austin; grandchildren Jason Obenhaus, New York City and Casey Obenhaus, Dallas, Texas; sisters Geneva Kunkel and Anita Collier, Greenville, South Carolina; nephews Robert Gene Kunkel and wife Theresa, Salem, South Carolina; Donald Loy Nichols and wife Barbara of Dallas, Oregon; and niece Sandra Lee Al-Rawi, Greenville, South Carolina. Following a family burial at Austin Memorial Park, a Memorial Service will be held on January 24, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Weed Corley-Fish Chapel, 3125 N. Lamar with the Rev. June A. Wilkins, St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Rd., Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78759, 512-342-4700, 1-800-445-3261, [email protected] or a charity of your choice. Obituary and guestbook on line at wcfish.com