Richard Durbin Obituary
Richard was born on Jan. 23, 1939, in Stockton, Calif., to Willard and Mary Durbin. He graduated from Laurelwood Academy and later attended Walla Walla University and Medical Technology School. He was a Medical Technologist for Hillcrest Medical Center for over 30 years. He married Laura Knight, the love of his life, on Jan. 1st, 1992.
Richard loved nature and being outdoors. Once while camping on Galveston Island, he encountered a seagull trying to fly but held back with fishing line and weight tangled around his feet. Freeing the bird he was bitten several times, but he loved watching the gull fly away.
Richard had the gift of being a calming influence on those around him, teasing and working through problems and relieving stress.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Mary Durbin; and a sister, Virginia Evans
He is survived by his wife, Laura; two brothers, William Durbin and Robert Durbin; son, Richard R. Durbin and wife, Haemi, daughter, Mary Durbin; daughter, Shelly Snyder and husband, Scott; son, Robert W. Durbin; daughter, Susan Westall and husband, Larry; son, Thomas F. Knight and wife, Michelle; and son, Mark A. Knight; 13 grandchildren, Timothy, Daren Snyder, Kelsey, Jessica, Jordan, and Larry III Westall, Richard, William, and Thomas Durbin, Dawson and Harley Durbin, Madeline and Laura Knight. He is also survived by his faithful dog, Jack.
Donation can be made to the American Cancer Society in Richard's honor.
The family invites you to leave memories and messages at www.gracegardensfh.com.
January 23, 1939 - February 18, 2013
Sign the Guest Book at www.wacotrib.com
This obituary was originally published in the Waco Tribune-Herald.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
The Durbin Family: Mary, Willard, Robert, William, Virginia, and Richard
Angela Gibbons
February 23, 2013
Dear Laura, Richard R., Shelly, Robert & Family,
Spending time with Uncle Richard was always something that I looked forward to. I loved listening to his stories, always told with his easy going style, relaxed pace and a charming Southern drawl, and you always knew the ending would involve a smile, and a laugh. When he laughed you couldn't help but join him, his laughter had a way of drawing you in and surrounding you! And when his smile spread across his face and up to his eyes, where it always lingered in a playful twinkle, your day was immediately brighter and better.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. His memory will continue to live on in our hearts ...
With Love,
Angela Gibbons
Richard & Virginia
Angela Gibbons
February 23, 2013
Janet Shinner
February 21, 2013
Dear Shelly & Robbie, my heart and prayers are with you both, my heart breaks with the loss of Uncle Richard, all I can think of is his relaxed causual smile, laugh and twinkling eyes. He will be deeply missed!!!
Mary Ann Koerth Niswanger
February 21, 2013
Shelly and Robbie and family... Sorry to have read about your father.. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your families...
I am your Mother's {Martha} cousin
Mary Ann Koerth Niswanger
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Dianne Taylor
February 21, 2013
May God comfort you in this time of loss.
Debbie Lynd
February 20, 2013
Laura, My sympathy and prayers go out to you and your family. Dick had a sense of humor and presence about him that was so rare...loved working with him and learned something from him every day. Some people come and go but I will never forget Dick Durbin.
Stacy Duran
February 20, 2013
Durbin Family...you all are in my thoughts and prayers. May God give you peace in your time of need.
MISTY WINDHAM
February 20, 2013
LAURA, YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, OUR SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.RICHARDS SMILING FACE WILL BE GRATELY MISSED.
LAURA AND MISTY
Debbie Gerdes
February 20, 2013
I will always remember walking into the old Hillcrest breakroom and seeing Dick taking a nap on that old couch during his break. He was a mentor and a friend. I will always cherish the many talks we had in the breakroom about our shared love for the great outdoors. Once when I told him of my dream to move to Montana he told me it gets so cold there that they have to move the cows inside! I will never forget that, or him. He was a great mentor during my time at Hillcrest and he will be truly missed. I envied his honesty and strength and I know he was a fighter until the end.
Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results
8220 Woodway Drive, Waco, TX 76712
Make a Donation
in Richard Durbin's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
How to support Richard's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Richard Durbin's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
Sponsored