Ulrich E Voetter

Ulrich Ernest “Rick” Voetter devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on December 27,2023. Rick was born in Newark, New Jersey on February 2,1929 to Walter and Helen Voetter who immigrated from Germany through Ellis Island after WWI. Rick grew up in West Orange, NJ graduating from Montclair Academy in 1947. He continued his studies at Georgia Institute of Technology where he earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1952.

In August of 1952, Rick married the one and only love of his life, Geneva Rae Wood at University Baptist Church in Fort Worth, TX and continued his career at General Dynamics until being inducted to serve in the US Army in June of 1953 during the Korean War. He served as an engineering teaching assistant at the US Military Academy at West Point and at the Army Chemical Center at Edgewood, Maryland where 90% of the personnel were degreed engineers, scientist and chemists.

After honorable discharge from the Army, Rick joined Schlumberger Well Services as a field engineer in Abilene, TX where he and Geneva welcomed their first daughter, Mimi Alyse in 1956. After being transferred to Houston in 1958, they welcomed 3 more daughters, Mandi Rene, Gretchen Rae and Heidi. Rick spent 38 years with Schlumberger where he was one of the company’s most prolific patent producing engineers with 13 total patents primarily in “downhole drilling.” After retiring he was a consultant for five years. Rick was a member of the ASME, President of the Bellaire Coin Club, a decades long volunteer in the Willow Meadows Baptist Church Sunday School Primary Department as well as a deacon in addition to countless other volunteer positions in the community and in his professional life.

Rick was a man of deep faith and set the tone and standard as head of his household that a personal relationship with Christ was foundational for everyone. He and Geneva were active members of Willow Meadows Baptist Church for over 45 years. Rick and Geneva joined Tallowood Baptist Church in the early 90’s. Rick was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting dove and deer as well as camping, fishing and water skiing. The family spent many summers at Lake Sam Rayburn and Galveston with Geneva’s brothers and their families as well as family friends. The family traveled extensively throughout the United States and Rick and Geneva traveled extensively throughout Mexico and Europe spending much of it in Germany, Austria and Switzerland with Rick’s remaining Voetter relatives as well as extended time in Paris were they combined work with pleasure.

Rick was the consummate family man foregoing countless promotions and career opportunities in order to be home by 5:15pm every night to have dinner with his family and supervise his daughter’s homework and extra curricular activities as well as police “phone time” between the four girls and enforce his infamous no weeknight TV after dinner rule. In his later years, Rick spent time “running a few cattle” as a hobby at the family farm in Shiner, Texas as well as countless holidays and weekends with his children, grandchildren and extended family where he gave his famous tractor rides and he and Geneva tried their hand at making wine from their native grape orchard.

Preceded in death are his daughter, Mandi Rene Voetter, his parents, Walter Max Voetter and Helene Sieger Voetter. His in-laws, Ray Olin Wood and Lorene Wickersham Wood. His sister-in-law, Betty Wood, his brother in laws, Benny Wood, Floyd Eldridge Little, Eugene Norbert Penler and William David Wood and his niece Dr. Scotti Wood.

Rick is survived by his adoring wife of 72 years, Geneva Rae Wood Voetter, his daughter Mimi Voetter Andersen and her husband Steven Curt, his daughter Gretchen Rae Voetter Litton and her husband Russell Wayne, and his daughter Heidi Voetter Holcomb and her husband John Henry. He is also survived by his grandchildren Matthew Curt Andersen, Dylan James Marcus and his wife Devora Judith, Meredith Jane Marcus, Henry Thomas Holcomb and Claire Elyse Holcomb. He is also survived by his sister Doris Voetter Penler, his brother-in-laws Glen Wake Wood and his wife Beth, Randy Olin Wood and his wife Janay, his sister- in-laws Mary Ruth Little, Peggy Jane Hadaway and her husband Roy, and Denise Wood Deel as well as multiple nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews and their spouses and children.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in the name of Rick Voetter to Houston Eye Associates Foundation, 7155 Old Katy Road, Suite S110, Houston, TX 77024.

A private graveside service for the family will be held Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 12:00 pm at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home and Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77077.

Celebration of Life services to be held on February 3, 2024 at 11:00 am at Second Baptist Church, Hankamer Chapel at 6400 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX 77057.

The family would like to thank Care Innovations and all of the caregivers that helped care for Rick during his end of life transition.