Tributes

Richard "Dick" Weil led a life that blended service, family, adventure and the task that he particularly excelled at – being a father. Born in San Antonio on April 28, 1934, Dick spent his formative years from 1943-51 in Monterrey, Mexico, where his father was manager for a paper mill. He attended New Mexico Military Institute from 1951-53 and then joined the US Army as a private. He almost immediately enrolled in Officer Candidate School and became a Lieutenant in the 82d Airborne Division artillery at Fort Bragg, NC. In 1956, Dick joined the Reserves. He attended the University of Texas at Austin while commanding Reserve artillery batteries in Georgetown and San Marcos. After graduation, he attended law school at the University of Texas. During this time, Dick met and married Patricia Edgar. Their first child, Marsha, was born in 1964 and after passing the Bar, Dick opened his law practice in San Antonio in 1965. In 1965, Dick's military responsibilities transferred from the artillery to the JAG, and he commanded the First Military Law Center in San Antonio. His family responsibilities, however, were just beginning, as he and Pat welcomed Grady and Melinda into the world in 1968 and 1971. As time passed, Dick became "Dad" to his three children. His life rotated around his family, his law practice, his church and his sense of adventure. Through countless fishing trips, weekends at the ranch, journeys to Mexico and cross-country drives, Dad instilled in his kids and many friends along for the ride his resourcefulness, flexibility, adaptability and love of the far horizon. The stories of mishaps and triumphs over adversity built over the years and Dad wrote his own kind of legend in the hearts of his children and their friends. To say Dad devoted his life to his children would be an understatement. Every possible lesson he could pass on, he did. Every possible minute of his time he could devote to his kids, he did. And in the chief lesson of life, he encouraged his kids to make their own way in the world. Dad's sense of service continued even after he retired from the military as a Colonel and he had seen his children follow their own roads in life. In 1993, he had the wonderful blessing of being able to add many beautiful children and grandchildren to his life when he and Ramona Huffman Weil married. He loved them all so dearly and they enriched his life in so many ways. Dad and Mona shared a love for books and spending time with family and friends. Dad also became active in community service programs such as SAMM Shelter and Meals on Wheels. Dad passed the lessons he taught his kids on to the new generation of his sixteen grandchildren.. As he taught them how to fish, shoot, drive and many other important life skills, Dad's children looked on, remembering the same priceless lessons given to them. Whether known as Dick Weil, or "Dad" or "Papa", he shared his unique character with everyone who he came into contact with. His wit, personality and good nature left an indelibly positive mark on everyone he came into contact with, from clients to friends, to family. His life's work still lives on. Thank you for the journeys, and your stories on the road. Thank you for your freedom when it came my time to go. Thank you for the kindness, and the times when you got tough. And, Papa, I don't think I said "I love you" near enough. ________________________________________________ Grieve not...nor speak of me with tears... but laugh and talk of me as though I were beside you. I loved you so…'twas heaven here with you.

Tributes

Richard Grady Weil

April 28, 1934 - January 14, 2012