Richard 'Rick' McWhirter

Memorial Services will be held at 2:00PM on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in the Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers for Mr. Richard Marshall McWhirter, 75. Dr. Bob McFatter and Reverend Frank Carmical will officiate the service. Richard (Rick) McWhirter was born in Dallas, Texas in 1942. He passed away on Friday April 20, 2018. As a young man Rick earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1958. He did his undergraduate study at Austin College beginning in 1960. After transferring to the University of Texas (UT) in 1963, Rick met and began dating his future wife, Gini. He graduated in psychology from UT in 1964, then hitchhiked to Alaska to work on a pipeline during the summer of 1964. Rick began graduate school in psychology at UT in the fall of 1964. Rick and Gini were married in 1965. Rick served as a consulting psychologist in the Department of Defense in Vietnam in 1966. Rick and Gini's first son Derek was born in 1966. Rick earned his PhD in psychology from Texas Tech University in 1969 and moved to Lafayette to begin his teaching career at USL in 1969. Rick and Gini's second son Jason was born in 1971. As Rick's career progressed, he received tenure and eventually became a full Professor in the Psychology Department at USL. He also became a consulting psychologist at several Louisiana state facilities and the local Archdiocese. Rick and Gini bought their ranch in Wimberley, Texas in 1978 and typically spent school semesters in Lafayette and summers and holidays in Wimberley. Rick and Gini have been active members of Lafayette's Southside Bible Chapel and Wimberley's Chapel in the Hills. Rick retired from UL as a full Professor in 2000. He and Gini then spent time with family, friends, school and church groups in both Lafayette and Wimberley. They frequently traveled with friends and especially school mates of their high school and college days. Rick was an avid outdoors enthusiast, nature lover, and conservationist through the Blanco River Riparian Reforestation program following the 2015 flood disaster. He was an amateur arborist, botanist and defender of local flora and fauna. He was also a birdwatcher and fisherman (catch & release). Rick was quite skilled as a carpenter, woodworker, furniture maker, and blacksmith. He built many unique rustic furniture pieces using reclaimed materials. He was an avid strategy game enthusiast and was at one point the Lafayette City chess club champion. Rick was virtually unbeatable at checkers. Rick was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He gave generously of his time, energy, support, and wisdom to his family and hosted many visits to the McWhirter home and ranch over the years. He was a trusted friend, mentor, and advisor, not only to his students, but also to a wide range of people in his circle of acquaintances. He is survived by his wife, Virginia "Gini" Mae Jones McWhirter; son, Derek Marshall McWhirter and wife Dawn, and their children Haydon, Kenzie, Camden; son, Jason Richard McWhirter; and sister, Marilyn McWhirter Gurney. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Eva Mae McWhirter Sr. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home- Bertrand on Thursday, April 26, 2018 from 1:00PM until the time of service. At a later date a Life Celebration service will be held at Chapel in the Hills in Wimberley, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sandy Creek Bible Camp, Mercy Chefs, or your charity of choice. Personal condolences may be sent to the McWhirter family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.