Richard A. Herschap

After a full and vibrant life marked by his deep love of family and the great outdoors, Richard Alvin “Dick” Herschap, known as “Grandpa” to his granddaughters, “Uncle Dick” to many, and “Tricky” to his closest friends, passed away on Friday, August 30, 2024 while doing what he loved with the one he loved most. A true outdoorsman at heart, Dick found his greatest joys in hunting, fishing, and ranching. The rolling hills and open skies were his sanctuary, where he spent countless hours with a rod or gun in hand and Hector, his beloved lab, in tow. His passion for nature was not just a pastime but a way of life, one that he lovingly shared with family and friends.

Dick was born to Pete and Lois Herschap on January 14, 1939. In his younger years, he lived in the small community of Dilworth, Texas. From humble beginnings making much out of little, his family instilled the hunter-gatherer lifestyle within their children from an early age. They later moved to Orange Grove, Texas where he became a cherished asset to the Bulldog community. During his years in school, he was a leader among his classmates serving three years as class president. Dick was an exceptional athlete competing in baseball, football, and boxing. He was an accomplished running back on his high school football team, leading his pack to numerous victories. Throughout his high school years, he received many accolades for his time spent on the field, including his induction into the Orange Grove Athletic Hall of Fame. Dick graduated from Orange Grove High School in 1958. After high school, he continued his education at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Little did he know, Dick met the love of his life, Patricia Ann Hagan, in 4th grade. They began dating in high school and continued dating throughout college. After Pat graduated college, the two married on June 1,1962 and made their home near their parents in Orange Grove. His marriage to his beloved bride of 62 years and steadfast companion through life’s many adventures was a testament to enduring love, filled with shared memories of laughter, hard work, and devotion to family.

They became a family of three in 1965 when their first son, Richard Donald Herschap was born. They welcomed their second son, Dustin Leon Herschap in 1969. Their family was now complete, and his pride in his sons was evident to all who knew him. Throughout their years, he cherished the time spent passing down his knowledge of the land and life to them. In the early seventies, his work with Houston Natural Gas took his family to Alvin, Texas for a short period of time and Falfurrias, Texas for several years. Their final move was to Rocksprings, Texas in 1975 where they purchased a large chunk of land and built their family home.

Dick enjoyed a long and fulfilling career with Houston Natural Gas, which later became Enron. During these years, he built not only a successful career but also lifelong friendships. Many of his colleagues became like family, and the bonds he formed with them still endure today. Dick’s integrity, work ethic, and good humor left a lasting impact on those he worked with, and he is respected and loved by many in the industry. In 1996, Dick completed his career with Enron and became a full-time rancher. In the rugged beauty of the hill country, he dedicated himself to living off the land. The wide-open spaces, the solitude, and the connection to nature in Rocksprings brought Dick a profound sense of peace and fulfillment. He was the patriarch of the family, instilling that a life worth living is one that loves hard, works hard, plays hard, is a good steward of all they have, lives off of all that the land and water provides, fellowships whenever possible, and eats well every chance they get! He loved time spent with his children, grandchildren, and friends whether on the homestead or traveling around the world pursuing the ultimate adventure. He lived to guide the next generation of hunters, leading more than 27 hunters to their first harvest on his land. He developed a passion for trapping predators and ensuring the safety of livestock, later becoming an avid member of numerous trapping clubs.

He was a devoted member of the Rocksprings community. He spent time serving on the Rocksprings ISD Board of Trustees. He also served as president of the Edwards County Fair Association where he was both a community volunteer and a team roping participant in the annual rodeo. In his free time, he would stop in at the feed store to catch up on the local happenings and solve the world’s problems with fellow ranchers and friends.

Dick Herschap, (Dad, Grandpa, Dickie, Tricky) will be remembered as a man of integrity, strength, and kindness– a true gentleman with a heart as vast as the land he loved. His legacy will live on in the lives he touched and the land he cared for so deeply.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Patricia Ann Hagan Herschap. He is also survived by his son, Dustin Leon Herschap and wife, Tricia Fry Herschap as well as their children, Henli Dee and Hallie Don who he lovingly referred to as Grandpa’s Girls. He is also survived by his brother, Maurice “Moose” Herschap and his sister, Joan Herschap Gorbet (Jon). He also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Lois Herschap; brother, Pete Jr. Herschap; brother, Larry “Buff” Herschap. He was also preceded in death by his eldest son, Richard Donald Herschap.

The family would like to express our appreciation for all of the love and support we have felt during this time. We find comfort in the 85 years of memories of a life well lived.

A graveside service will be held Sons of Herman in Orange Grove, Texas Monday, September 9, 2024 at 11:00 AM

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dick’s honor can be made to First Baptist Church of Rocksprings, Texas, Edwards County EMS, or Edwards County VFD. If you have a story or memory to share with the family, please send it to Herschap Family, PO Box 145, Rocksprings, Texas 78880.

Arrangements are entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary, 2061 E. Main St., Alice, Texas.

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.holmgreenmortuaryinc.com and shared via Holmgreen Mortuary Facebook.

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