Richard Michael Kerker

1953 - 2025

Richard Michael Kerker passed away on January 6th, 2025, in Nathrop, CO. Richard, known as Mike to his friends and family, was born on March 28th, 1953, in Wiesbaden, Germany to his father, Herbert Victor Kerker, a Major in the United States Army, and his mother, Janie Louise Richardson. Mike grew up in San Antonio, TX, and El Paso, TX, and dedicated his life to public service and higher education in the state he loved. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1976 and a Master of Science in 1978 from Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, and completing a Ph.D from The University of Texas at Austin in 1989, he began his career at the Texas Education Agency. He then sat on the Texas Legislative Budget Board before working under George W. Bush at the Texas Governor's Office. After leaving the governor's office, he began work at the Office of Academic Affairs at The University of Texas System Office, culminating in his career as the Associate Vice Provost at The University of Texas at Austin. He is survived by his wife, Penny L. Smith-Kerker, who he wed on June 15th, 1976, his children Clayborn Michael Kerker and Matthew Lee Kerker, and his sisters Patricia Edmonds, Shirley Finch, and Victoria Anzaldi.

A service will be held in his memory at St. John's United Methodist Church, Austin, TX., on March 29th, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. His family asks that any respects paid be done through donations to a local animal shelter in either Austin, TX or the Ark-Valley Humane Society in Buena Vista, CO, or to Planned Parenthood, honoring his legacy of love and charity to all things living. If you wish to send flowers for the memorial service, please contact Freytag's Florist on 2211 W Anderson Rd. Austin, TX.