R. George Cunningham

1930 - 2019

R. George Cunningham
1930-2019
RICHARD GEORGE CUNNINGHAM, P.E. died January 24, 2019. He was born in Seattle, Washington on July 5, 1930. Upon the death of his father Frederick John Cunningham in 1937, George, his mother Eva Foster Cunningham, and brother Fred C. Cunningham joined Aunt Ethel Foster Peterson and her family in Amarillo, TX where George was reared and graduated from Amarillo High School. He graduated from The University of Texas in Austin with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.
George moved to Houston, TX and entered the field of consulting engineering serving his apprenticeship with Bovay Engineering and Parsons Brinkerhoff. He became registered as a structural engineer in 1957 and was in private practice as a consultant until his death. He taught Structures in the School of Architecture for ten years at the University of Houston and then for ten years at Rice University.
His activities were many. He was an Eagle Scout and involved in many business and community activities. He served on the board of the Consulting Engineers' Council of Texas. He was President of the Board of Houston Achievement Place. He served on the Vestry of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church serving as Jr. and Sr. Warden. Many years he served as Delegate to Diocesan Council for St Stephen's Church and served on the Board of Trustees for Camp Allen. He was active with Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.
Through the years, George was also involved with The Texas Historical Commission, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, The Texas Historical Association, The Greater Houston Preservation Alliance and the Harris County Historical Society – there filling many leadership roles, including President, and was a member of the National Parks and Conservation Association, The Museum of Fine Arts, The Rice Design Alliance, Houston Grand Opera, The Galveston Historical Foundation, and others.
Somehow, George also made time for a variety of other activities including serving on four Harris County Grand Juries, teaching a Junior Achievement middle school class, performing Census follow-up work, captaining and/or crewing many sailing ventures, and keeping up with many of the interesting people he met along the way, as well as family and his many friends.
He is survived by his wife Sharon Rives Cunningham, three children: Catherine Cunningham, Gael Cunningham and Richard Cunningham and wife Adrienne; four grandchildren, Raven, Coates, Miranda, Olivia; and cousin, Elizabeth Hedley. He was preceded in death by his daughter Amelia.
Visitation with the family will be held from five until eight o'clock in the evening on February 8, 2019 at the Bradshaw-Carter Funeral Home, 1734 West Alabama in Houston. A memorial service will be held at twelve o'clock – noon on Saturday, February 9 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 1805 West Alabama (at Woodhead) in Houston with inurnment following in the Church Columbarium. A reception follows at Bradshaw-Carter. The Reverend Lisa Hunt will be the officiant.
In lieu of flowers George wished that any donations be made to St. Stephen's or a charity of your choice.