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Richard Waterfield Obituary



Richard "Dick" Allen Waterfield Richard "Dick" Allen Waterfield, age 68, former Texas State Representative, rancher and cattleman, died on Monday, February 26, 2007. He was born August 24, 1939, in Canadian Texas to the late Richard Bruce and Marjorie Jones Waterfield. He graduated Canadian High School and attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi. Dick owned and operated Waterfield Ranch in Hemphill County, was president and co-owner of Canadian Feed Yards, Inc. Dick served as president of Texas Cattle Feeders Association and served on the board of directors of the First State Bank of Canadian. Dick served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1986 to 1990, was voted Outstanding Freshman Legislator, and remained active in politics until his death. In addition, Dick served a Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and established the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority. After completing his term in the legislature, Dick was active in the Austin business community, owning Waterworks Productions and Waterfield and Associates, Inc. In addition to being a cattleman, Dick was a avid thoroughbred horse racing enthusiast, co-owning Longfield Farm in Goshen, Kentucky and owning several very successful horses including 1986 Kentucky Derby contender Bachelor Beau. Dick was a member of Riverbend Church and was an active member with a local bible study group. Dick is survived by his wife, Brenda, his son R. Bruce Waterfield, and his partner, Robert D. Raab, his daughter R. Gwyn Waterfield, all of Austin. He is also survived by one brother and his wife, Jim B. Waterfield and Sandy Waterfield of Canadian, TX. He is further survived by his first wife, Gail Lavin Waterfield, of Austin, and other relatives and many friends. Memorial services for Dick Waterfield will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 28th at Riverbend Church, 4214 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX., with Rev. Steve Youngdahl, officiating. Relatives and friends are welcome at the Smith Chapel at Riverbend Church, 4214 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX on Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of service. Memorial services will also be held at the First United Methodist Church in Canadian, TX at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 2, 2007. A private burial will be held at Canadian Cemetery. Dick was a passionate volunteer in the Austin community and became Austin's 2006 Volunteer of the Year through his tireless efforts with Meals on Wheels and More. In lieu of flowers, the family requests gift giving of your time or money to Meals on Wheels and More at http://www.mealsonwheelsandmore.org or 3227 E. 5th Street Austin, TX 78702.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Austin American-Statesman on Feb. 27, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
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Dick Waterfield

November 13, 2007

Bob and Dottie Raab

March 6, 2007

Our sincere condolences to the entire Waterfield family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Thomas Graham

March 5, 2007

Life is short, yet Dick took full advantage of every breath. I will remember him always and share our deepest condolences for the loss of this wonderful man.

Debbie Kizer

February 28, 2007

My dear friend Brenda,
I am so sorry to hear about Dick's passing. I didn't find out until well after the funeral or I would have been there. Gib & I have you in our thoughts and prayers. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Debbie & Gib Kizer

Would you vote for this man?! :-)

February 28, 2007

Dick Loved Brenda SO much!

February 28, 2007

Dick LOVED sports and time with family.

February 28, 2007

Neal Odom

February 28, 2007

Dick was a great friend and a super boss. I will always appreciate the many things that Dick taught me about business and life. Working for him was the most fun job I ever had. I cherish the relationship we had over the past 24 years and the great memories I will always have. The faith in God that Dick lived in his life is an inspiration to me.

PAT ROBBINS

February 28, 2007

I FIRST MET DICK WHEN HE RAN FOR THE LEGISLATURE. I KNEW THE MOMENT I MET HIM THAT HE WOULD WIN THE POSITION. DICK WAS ONE OF THE FINEST MEN I HAVE KNOWN. HIS WONDERFUL PERSONALITY AND SENSE OF HUMOR MADE HIM GREAT FUN TO BE AROUND. DICK SERVED ON OUR CANDIDATES COMMITTEE FOR MANY YEARS AND WE WILL ALL MISS HIS COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO POLITICS...OH HOW WE NEED MORE OF THAT!!! ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ASSOCIATED REPUBLICANS OF TEXAS AND OUR MEMBERSHIP, I EXTEND OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY.

Lucy Frost

February 28, 2007

Dick Waterfield was an American original. The last time I saw him, I'd asked him for business advice and he generously consented, listening carefully and giving me his wise council in the most kind manner imaginable. He will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to his family and close friends.

Ed Black

February 28, 2007

It's hard to say how much I will come to miss Dick. I, too, worked for Dick at Waterworks Productions; in fact, it was under his auspices that I started upon my career. Dick took a chance on me, and I hope I never let him down while I worked for him. He was a good man, who worked hard for what he believed in, and didn't play politics like so many do today. He said what he thought, in plain English. His loss is a great tragedy, and my thoughts go out to his family during this difficult time.

Carol Huntsberger

February 28, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Waterfield family at this time. The entire staff at Qaulity Seafood will miss his presence. What a blessing for each of us to have had the opportunity to meet such an incredible man. There are people who come into your life and touch you and Dick was one of those people. God has wrapped his arms around a very special man. We are all so fortunate to have known him.

David Luttrell

February 28, 2007

Brenda:

Dick hired me at the Texas Department of Agriculture in February of 1991 and I truly enjoyed working with him. He always displayed a very caring attitude toward his employees and fought hard for what he believed in. He truly will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Michelle King

February 28, 2007

Dick was one of the great ones. His smile alone could warm your heart and make you laugh all at the same time. He is one of my favorites of all time and especially at lost creek. We will all miss him. My thoughts are with your entire family.

Cindy Pardue

February 28, 2007

Brenda - We loved Dick and wish we could be with you. Remember our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Christine Kent

February 27, 2007

My condolences to Brenda and family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Nicole Evans

February 27, 2007

Even though I didn't know Mr. Waterfield very long, I know that he was a very sweet, generous man that always had a kind word to say to everyone he met. I will miss his presence at the golf course and offer my condolences to his family at this difficult time.

Barbara Kennedy

February 27, 2007

Brenda,
We are so sorry! Dick always made us feel so welcome whenever we saw you all. Both of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Betsy, Barbara and Rose

Ron Hinkle

February 27, 2007

Dick Waterfield was a good man who always had time to stop and greet you and say a kind and encouraging word. My deepest condolences to the Waterfield family.

O'Dell Bishop

February 27, 2007

Dick Waterfield was a great man. I had the great priviledge of working for him at Waterworks. He was a man who stood up for what was right, a man who stood up for those who had no one else to stand for them. A Texas Flatlander like me, I just saw Dick here at the Capitol a few weeks ago, proudly backing a bill that brought political extremes together for the common good, the funding of his beloved Meals on Wheels. God bless you Dick, I owe you a lot in this world, I'll never forget. Love to all of you in his family.

Hans Klingler

February 27, 2007

Dick Waterfield was great friend and a leader who led by quiet example. My sincerest condolences to his family. We will miss him.

Malouf Abraham

February 27, 2007

Dick and I went from first grade thru graduation from Canadian High School together. Therese and I are deeply saddened to lose this long time friend. Each member of the family holds a special spot in our hearts and we share their pain.

Adam Jones

February 27, 2007

Dick gave me my first job in the Texas Legislature. He was a great public servant and mentor and will be missed by all who knew him. He was also damn funny, a trait the legislature needs more of these days.

Alice McCann

February 27, 2007

Brenda,
I'm so sorry to hear about Dick. He was one of my favorites at Lost Creek. He played with my son, Grant in an adult/jr tournament and made a lasting impression on him. Tim & I have continued to enjoy his humor with his e-mail jokes. I'll miss him.

George Schuldberg

February 27, 2007

Brenda,
My sincere condolensces. I'm very saddened by the news of Dick's passing. My thoughts are with you and all your family in this dificult time.

Doug & Janet Stakes

February 27, 2007

We'll deeply miss our dear friend. He was an inspiration with his always calm and happy manner. We were always amazed at how much he could get done in one day.
With our deepest love and sympathy to Brenda, Bruce, Gwyn and his entire family. May God keep you close to him in the days that follow.

michael Hanneman

February 27, 2007

I had the pleasure to work with Dick at Waterworks Productions. He was a great boss, and I am very saddend to hear of his death. I want to send my heartfelt condolences to Bruce and Gwen.

Samuel Houston

February 27, 2007

Dick was one of the few people I have met in this life who was always positive about things, even his attempts at golf. He was a commited member of the MoWaM family and worked tirelessly for others with no need for acolades. My sympathies go out to his family.

Robert Raab

February 27, 2007

It was an honor and privilege to know such a man. He touched so many, many lives with his unconditional gift of love. My deepest sympathy for his wife, Brenda, his children, and his family.

Joe & Pat Foster

February 27, 2007

Brenda,
Our thoughs and prayers are with you.

Kim Eggleston

February 26, 2007

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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