William Richard Pitcher

William (Bill) Richard Pitcher was called to his Heavenly Father on March 1, 2024. Bill was born in Austin, Texas on July 24, 1928 to Lorin and Mary (Cunningham) Pitcher. He graduated from Austin High School in 1945 and received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Master of Science in Civil Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin. He served two years in the Signal Corps during the Korean conflict. He was employed by the Texas Highway Department in the Bridge Division from 1954 until his retirement in 1987. While participating in International Folk Dancing, he met his wife JoAnn Lucile Bruggman. They were married in 1959 and enjoyed 64 years together. They traveled around the world, ballroom danced, and were involved at St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Bill loved his dogs and often spoke fondly of Pooch and Pepper, and could be seen slipping dinner snacks to Tufy and Foxy. Shooting marbles, collecting stamps, being in Boy Scouts, and throwing a paper route kept Bill busy in his youth. Later, he would enjoy shooting guns at the farm, boating with his family, camping around the U.S., and spending time with his granddaughters. Bill also loved getting the chance to unwind each year at Port Aransas while watching ships in the channel and catching naps in the ocean breeze.

Bill is survived by his wife, JoAnn; his daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Jose Garcia; daughter, Karen Pitcher; granddaughters, Lauren Garcia Chance and Alma Garcia; and great grandson, Atlyn Chance.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 11:00 am at St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 606 West 15th St., Austin, TX 78701. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to St. Martin’s Endowment Fund in Bill’s memory.