Robert "Tex" Rickard

Robert Davis Rickard, better known as “Tex,” 93, of Austin, TX joined his Lord and Savior on August 12, 2018. He was born to Richard H. and Buell Starnes Rickard in Taylor, TX on November 1, 1924. He graduated from Hutto High School in 1942, and after serving in the Army in WWII, he married his beloved wife of 71 years, Gloria Spong Rickard, on October 23, 1946.

Robert ran his own brokerage company in the candy business for 45 years. He loved Longhorn sports and regularly attended their home (and away) football, basketball, and baseball games. As an active member of the Lutheran Church, he loved serving the youth and maintaining the grounds of his various church homes. Most recently, he spent countless hours at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church serving and working in the memorial garden. Robert—or, as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren called him, “Pappy”—also loved his four children, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He demonstrated this love by attending many events and by playing frequent but unexpected pranks.

Survivors include wife Gloria Spong Rickard; sister Doris Tomlin and spouse Walter; sister Mary Christo Hoover; daughter Judith Stevens; son Rick Rickard and wife Sue; daughter Pam Shriber and husband Tommy; son Robert Rickard and wife Polly; grandchildren Corey Johnson and husband Brad, Kelley Polansky and husband Josh, Nikki Ratzlaff and husband Cory, Austin Rickard, and Piper, Robert, Perry, Peyton, and Pace Rickard; and great-grandchildren Madi Simpson and husband Braiden, Jack and Kellen Polansky, and Theodore Ratzlaff. Robert is preceded in death by sister Sarah Ann Pratt and by parents Richard H. and Buell Starnes Rickard.

Memorial services will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3525 Bee Caves Rd. Austin, TX 78746, Friday, August 24th at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice.