In the late 1970’s I first met Richard when I was working as a summer intern as a Petroleum Engineer. I had just gotten married to my wife of 35 years now and really looked up to him as an experienced engineer. One day he introduced me to a friend that had a small business with a shop in Bryan Texas. Unfortunately, I was not a strong student in my undergraduate studies and failed out of school later that year. Desperate to find a way to re-enroll in school and earn money, I reached out to him for a reference to this shop owner. Because of his endorsement, I got a part time job working in the shop while attending community college, and could earn enough to help support my wife, who was also working to support me in addition to my father. Because of people like Richard and countless others that helped me along the way, I graduated with my BS in Petroleum Engineering, obtained an MS in Petroleum Engineering after working 5 years in the industry, and later earned my MBA and have had a very successful career as an engineer.

You never know what a simple act of kindness can do to help someone in life, and I have tried to follow Richard’s example in my career. Thank you.