Horace Clinton Richbourg

Hay farmer, friendly neighbor, wise businessman, family historian, world traveler, careful pilot, graceful dancer, loyal friend, faithful husband, responsible father, patient teacher, resourceful handyman, tireless worker, intellectual soldier, respectful son, and always a devoted family man, Horace Clinton Richbourg lived a full life and was much admired by all who knew him.

Dad, who went by "Rich", was born in Dallas to F. M. and Aline L. Richbourg during the Great Depression. Their family moved often during those difficult years. As a teenager he played football and baseball, went to Port Neches High School on the Gulf Coast, and raced hot rods in his spare time. Early on, he acquired the Richbourg family's special taste for ice cream. He was serious about school and followed his maternal grandfather's path into the pre-med program at the University of Texas. He sang there in the A Cappella Choir. Rejecting the Elvis craze, Dad preferred Burl Ives, and in much later days, he loved listening to Keith's Vocal Majority Chorus. He paid his way through UT, working as a waiter at the Scottish Rite Dormitory for young women. He graduated in 1958 with a Zoology degree and soon joined the army, becoming a Russian linguist stationed in Berlin near Checkpoint Charlie. Dad was there when the Berlin Wall went up in 1961.

Upon returning home, his adorable aunt observed "Everyone would live in Colorado if they could", so he headed north and just kept going into Wyoming. In Caspar, Wyoming, he met his future bride, Carolyn Teich, who had also come from Texas. In 1963 they were married in the charming Chapel of the Transfiguration, with the Grand Tetons in view. Thus began an amazingly successful partnership that lasted for 55 years. They soon moved to Denver to start their new family. All three of their children were born in Denver. Sometime later, Dad's job with Ryder Truck Rental led them to spend two idyllic years in Seattle. In 1972 they returned to their native Texas, living in Richardson for one year before settling down in the rapidly growing suburb of Arlington.

In a profoundly impressive expression of their work ethic, sense of responsibility, and exceptional ability for teamwork, Mom and Dad owned and ran Arlington's Ben Franklin store for 15 years. The store became a well-loved local institution and dominated all our lives. Dad also supported our Boy Scout troop, taking us on countless canoe trips down "that rocky trail they call the Brazos." He shaped the lives of many people, including his sons, through his Scouting leadership, carrying on a family tradition started by his father. Dad was always devoted to family, taking us to visit our grandparents nearly every weekend. We also remember many snow-skiing trips to the mountains that Mom loved and building model airplanes in a workshop in our back yard.

Dad had a lifelong passion for airplanes. We'll never forget how he restored a 1942 Taylorcraft L2A in our garage in Arlington. He joined the EAA and was acknowledged for his expertise in painting. Dad and Mom also expanded their social circle by becoming accomplished and well respected square/round dancers.

Dad and Mom closed the Ben Franklin store and, in the year 2000, moved to Mom's parents' farm. Straight away he built a runway and a hangar, and to this day Chigger Field is popular with local pilots. Dad then took on new roles: part-time Hay Farmer and part-time Sweet Old Man. His favorite part of the hay business was talking with customers. By then he had become a granddad six times over. He often gave friends and family members gentle advice, such as "Don't force it, just get a bigger hammer." He loved to reminisce about the history of the farm and ranch, especially while rocking in the swing on the back porch. Mom and Dad kept the family together by taking us on big family vacations every year, and made their own memories and new friends on river cruises to exotic places like the lower Danube and the Volga.

After Mom passed away in 2018, Dad maintained an independent life centered around watching Rangers games and visiting country cafes. He loved to see families with little children in the cafes. He continued to take care of the farm, spraying cactus and moving hay bales with the tractor. During Covid he claimed he was "isolating on 800 acres." In recent years he greatly enjoyed hosting a glider club at Chigger Field. He remained interested in current events and the stock market even in the final weeks of his life. Seven weeks after his stroke, he passed away very peacefully at his home on the family farm.

Rich is dearly missed by many good friends, neighbors, and acquaintances. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Teich Richbourg, grandson, Brandon Teich Richbourg, and granddaughter, Jenna Marie Richbourg. He is survived by three children (Alan Richbourg, Keith Richbourg, and Tracy Burger), their spouses (Summer Richbourg, Sherri Richbourg, and Ken Burger), three nieces (Cathy Teich, Debbie Teich, and Jacque Keeney), five grandchildren (Ryan Richbourg, Ryan’s wife Sierra, Nathan Richbourg, Vaughn Burger, and Beck Burger), one great grandchild (Evelyn Grace Richbourg), and the barn cat.

His Celebration of Life will be Saturday, November 22, at 2pm at his home on the farm, 10700 County Road 917, Cresson, TX 76035.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jenna Marie Richbourg Endowment fund through the National MPS Society:

https://mpssociety.org/donate-now/

The National MPS Society
Jenna Marie Richbourg Endowment
c/o Donations
PO Box 14686
Durham, NC 27709-4686