Richard “Joe” Burges, III passed away peacefully February 2, 2015 in Round Rock, Texas, surrounded by his wife and son. Joe was born January 5, 1932 in Seguin, Texas and is survived by his loving wife Arlene (Tschoepe) Burges of 59 years and their son Rick Burges and wife Gina, and grandchildren Ashley and Kristen. Joe is also survived by his brother Bill Burges and wife Margaret Lou Burges of Seguin, Texas, niece Margaret Cooper and great niece Avery Lynn Taylor.
After graduating from Seguin High School in 1950, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 3rd Armored Division in Mainz, Germany during the Korean War. After his military service, Joe returned to Seguin, where he met Arlene on a blind date which ultimately resulted in their marriage on January 14, 1956. In 1957, Joe earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Throughout Joe’s career his passion for commercial art and photography earned him numerous awards at the Austin American Statesman and the San Antonio Express News where he worked for many years. In 1983 Joe became a real estate broker in the greater Austin area. He worked in that capacity until his retirement in 2000.
Joe had many outside interests. While living in Kirby, Texas, Joe served as a volunteer fireman for 15 years until he and Arlene moved to Round Rock in 1978. Once there, Joe’s interests included serving as a patron member of the German Texan Heritage Society and VP of Communications for the German Free School before his election as President of the German Free School Guild in 1998.
Joe and Arlene enjoyed attending the Austin Symphony and Lyric Opera and liked to travel as much as possible, visiting points in the U.S. and Europe.
Services will be held for Joe on Friday February 13, 2015 at St. William’s Catholic Church in Round Rock. Joe will subsequently be laid to rest at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.
The family would also like to express their deep appreciation to the many caregivers at University Village Memory Care and Hospice-Compassus who took loving care of Joe in his final months.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in Joe’s name to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, the German Texan Heritage Society, or the Wounded Warrior's Project.
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