Hershel Rich

Hershel Maurice Rich passed away on February 17, 2012, thirteen days before his 87th birthday.
A native Houstonian, Hershel was born March 1, 1925 to Philip and Bertha Rich. He graduated from San Jacinto High School and Rice University with B.S. degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering; he was elected to Tau Beta Pi and Sigma Xi honorary fraternities and was named president of A.I.E.E. and Menorah Society. He served as a Supply Officer in the U.S. Navy. In 1947, he joined his father in the new Phil Rich Fan Manufacturing Co. and became company President in 1956. The company, which manufactured Windmaker Fans for commercial, institutional, and residential use, was sold to Sunbeam in 1981. He then started a software development company which developed SwifTax, SwiftLaw,? and SwifType.? He was a partner in land development companies and commercial properties and held several U.S. and foreign patents. He also served as a Director of Friedman Industries (NYSE).
Hershel was a Rice University Associate and received the Rice Alumni highest award—the Gold Award—in 2002 with his wife Hilda. They have sponsored the Rice University Leadership Program, Rice community service, scholarships, Rice Innovation Awards and Hilda Rich Circle of Giving Awards. Hershel was selected as a Distinguished Alumnus of Rice.
A founder and the first president of Houston R.E.A.D., now the Houston Center for Literacy, Hershel worked tirelessly to advance adult literacy. He promoted the use of computers and mass media to teach literacy and published a pocket Spanish-English Dictionary. He was a member of the Governor's Task Force on Literacy, served on the Gulf Coast Workforce Board and was awarded both the Dave White Award for service to the general community and the Houston Chronicle Savvy Award for helping make Houston a better place to live. On five occasions, five different Houston Mayors and City Councils proclaimed "Hershel Rich Day."
Hershel was on the International Board of Governors of Technion-Israel Institute of Technology as well as Regional Chairman and a National Board Member of the American Society for Technion. He created the prestigious Hershel Rich Technion Innovation Award presented to researchers for outstanding innovative projects with commercial potential and he helped start a jobs program for students on campus. In 1995, Technion honored him with its highest honor—the Albert Einstein Award. He received an Honorary Fellowship and, in 1998, an Honorary Doctorate.
As a board member of the Downtown Optimists Club, Hershel chaired The Downtown Optimist Charity Foundation. Additionally, he served on the board of Great Southern Bank, Congregation Emanu El, Vocational Guidance Service, U.S.O., Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Federation of Houston, and Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce. He was Chairman of Houston's United Jewish Campaign and a delegate to the Jewish Agency in Israel.
Hershel looked at the world through the lens of an optimist, inventor, and problem solver. Staring out his office window and watching a new building in construction, he came up with a detailed list of ways to improve the project; the contractors included several of his ideas which saved energy and money. While reading the IRS tax code, he noted that corporations were allowed to deduct only 5% of their income tax for charitable giving; he contacted then Vice President George Bush and Congressman Bill Archer who helped get the law changed to 10%.
Hershel loved world travel, cruises, boating and fishing. He enjoyed playing friendly bridge and poker and serious discussions at MDG (Men's Discussion Group) lunches. For many years, he snorkeled and water skied. At 60, he earned his Scuba Diving Certification.
Most important to Hershel was his family. In 1947, he married his university sweetheart, Hilda Atlas. A caring father and grandfather, he taught by love and example. His life stories inspired not only his family but all who met him. At 83, not to be outdone by the grandchildren, he zip lined through the jungle of Roatan.
Hershel was preceded in death by his son Morty Rich who died in 1993. Morty is memorialized by Rice University's Morty Rich Health Center Building and by the Morty Rich Hostel in Houston, Texas.
Hershel is by survived his wife of 64 years, Hilda, and their two children and their families: Renie Rich Carniol and Paul Carniol, and their children Michael and Amy Carniol, Alan Carniol, and Eric Carniol; and Sharon Rich and Nancy Reed, and their children Mariah Rich and Sophie Rich. He is also survived by his special daughter Mary Klein and husband David Klein and their children Shannon and Dawson Klein; his brother and sister-in-law, Marvin and Shirley Rich; sister-in-law Thelma Atlas; and loving nieces and nephews.
The funeral services will be on Sunday, February 19 at 2:45 PM in the Proler Chapel at Congregation Emanu El, 1500 Sunset Blvd., Houston, Texas 77005. After the funeral, a private graveside service will be held for the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to MD Anderson Hospital, Rice University, Technion University, Texas Heart Institute, or R.E.A.D./Houston Center for Literacy.