Richard Allan "Dick" Schapery

Richard Allan "Dick" Schapery, 90, of Austin, Texas, passed away peacefully from heart failure on August 9th, 2025. He was born on March 3rd, 1935, in Duluth, Minnesota, to Aaron and Nellie (Slovut) Schapery, and spent most of his childhood in Detroit, Michigan, where his father worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

It was in Detroit, at the First Hebrew Christian Church, that a young Richard met the love of his life, Mable "Mae" Burns, through her younger sisters, Brenda and Diann. After a year of courtship, they were married on June 14th, 1957-a date that would mark the beginning of a lifelong love story. That same day, the newlyweds set off on a cross-country honeymoon drive to Pasadena, California, where Dick would earn his master's and doctoral degrees in engineering from the California Institute of Technology. In 1959, they welcomed their son, Randy, and began building a family that would always be his proudest achievement.

Dick's career as a professor and researcher spanned nearly seven decades, but what made him remarkable was not just his groundbreaking work in the mechanics of materials-particularly viscoelasticity and fracture mechanics-but the way he carried himself through it all. He served on the faculties of Purdue University, Texas A&M University, and the University of Texas at Austin, where he held the Cockrell Family Regents Chair in Engineering. He authored more than 150 scientific papers, contributed to books, and in 2024 was honored as the world's leading scholar in his field. Yet for all his titles and accolades, Dick was never the loudest voice in the room. His calm presence, humility, and kindness were his trademarks. He gave generously of his time, loved mentoring students, and made those around him feel valued.

Faith, family, and friendship were the pillars of his life. Dick and Mae were active members of the churches they attended in every city they called home, forming friendships that lasted decades. After retiring in 2002, they embraced the quiet joys of life together-traveling hand in hand, savoring slow mornings over coffee, and treasuring every moment with their children, grandchildren, and later, great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his son Randy and daughter-in-law Jennifer Schapery of Liberty Hill, Texas; granddaughter Julianne Schapery of Austin; grandson Ryan Schapery, great-grandson Ben, and great-granddaughter Ada of Victoria, Texas; sister Cyndi and brother-in-law Brahim Satoutah of Pleasanton, California; and sister-in-law Bren Simon of Palm Beach, Florida, along with many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Aaron and Nellie Schapery; his brother Stephen Schapery; his sister Charlotte Anderson; and his daughter-in-law Chris Schapery.

Pallbearers will be Randy Schapery and Ryan Schapery. A private graveside service will be held at Bagdad Cemetery in Leander, Texas.

Dick's life was a beautiful example of steadfast faith, quiet strength, and unwavering love. While the world will remember his brilliance, his family and friends will remember the man who listened more than he spoke, who made time for others no matter how busy he was, and who loved without condition. His was a life well-lived, and his legacy lives on in the hearts of all who had the privilege to know him.