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Bellville Times Richard Strauss was born Jan. 12, 1912 in Bellville, Texas to parents Richard and Annie Thalmar Strauss. He was baptized and confirmed on Palm Sunday 1939, Richard grew up and attended school in Bellville graduating from Bellville high School in 1930. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas in Austin in August 1935, he taught school in Nelsonville for a year then in Lubbock for 2 years before returning to Bellville in Sept. 1936. On Feb. 14, 1936 Richard was united in marriage with Esther Warmke in Welcome. To this union a daughter, Karen was born as well as two sons who died at birth. Esther preceded Richard in death in 1959. He later married Daisy Belle Walker in Galveston on Jan. 14, 1961. She also preceded him in death. Richard served as Teacher, Principal and acting Superintendent for Bellville I.S.D. On Dec. 28, 1945 he changed careers and began working for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad where he was employed as a clerk to mechanical foreman O.C. Pearce. In March 1961, he transferred to the Galveston General Manager's office where he was employed in the Personnel Department until his transfer to Amarillo in 1965. He transferred to the Chicago office in 1974 where he remained until his retirement on July 1, 1977 as manager of Labor Relations. An active member of the Bellville community, Richard was a charter member of the Bellville Lions Club, a member of A.A.R.P., Bellville Volunteer Fire Department and Sons of Herman Lodge #11. He had also served as a City Commissioner, School Trustee, Trustee for Brazos Valley Special Industries and had worked with the HOA Meals on Wheels program. A dedicated and devoted member of St. John Lutheran Church in Bellville, he had served as a Stephen Minister until his health began to fail. Richard was selected as Bellville Lions Club "Citizen of the Year" in 2001. Richard Strauss passed away Monday, Dec. 1, 2003 in Houston, Texas at the age of 91. He is survived by his sister Eunice Lamp of Fredericksburg, Texas, numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wives, daughter Karen, two infant sons, sister Anna Beth Geyer and brothers Dennie, Homer and Henry. Funeral service was held at 10 a.m Friday, Dec. 5, 2003 at St. John Lutheran Church in Bellville with Rev. H. Eldon Akerman officiating. Burial followed in Oak Knoll Cemetery. Pallbearers were Stanley Jurchak, James Balke, Billie Armstrong, Starr Kealhofer, III, Rusty Wallace and Charles Strauss. Honorary pallbearers were C.H. Herrington, Howard Spears, Wallace Moeller and Russell McCombs. In lieu of usual remembrances, friends who wish may make memorial gifts to the St. John Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund, 520 N. Holland, Bellville, Texas, 77418, or the charity of their choice. Thank you to all family members and friends for their support during this time of bereavement and to caregiver, Lori for her devotion. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Schmidt Funeral Home, Bellville, Texas. Posted by Joy Neely
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