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7405 West Northwest Highway
Dallas, Texas
Dr. Benjamin Richard (Dick) Respess was born in Alexandria, Virginia, February 10, 1948, and moved to Houston, Texas, with his parents, Benjamin and Jean Respess, at the age of 2. He passed away on May 16, 2017, in Dallas, Texas at age 69.
Dick graduated with honors from The Kinkaid School in 1966 where he was active as member of the football, soccer, and golf teams and in student government. He lettered in football and was a captain of the soccer team, achieving all-conference status in both sports. He then graduated from Princeton University in 1970 with a B.A. in biology, where he lettered in football as an exceptional Center. He was invited to a tryout with the New York Giants football team.
Dick was in the very first class in 1975 to graduate with an M.D. from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, Texas. He practiced emergency room medicine for 42 years. Dick also participated in extensive medical research, particularly with stem cells, producing break-through procedures for their use in curing cancer. He also developed an all natural burn and wound cream; Regenaderm.
In 1991, with his expertise and love of automobile racing, Dick led the renovation of the Texas World Speedway in Bryan-College Station. He started a composites manufacturing business, Respess Composites, Inc., which developed a high-performance all-composite car called Consulier, a car that Chrysler Corp. had an interest in acquiring. He was retained by the Russian government under President Boris Yeltsin to analyze the potential revitalization of the Russian automobile industry.
Dick's other interests included sailing, golf, car-racing and music. He was an accomplished rock-n-roll drummer and an avid sports fan. He loved attending SMU and Dallas Cowboys football games, and Dallas Stars hockey games.
Dick is survived by his wife of 34 years, Elizabeth (Liz); his sister, Alice Splawn and her spouse, Jesse; his brother-in-law, Tex Netcher and his spouse, Becky; and Dick's beloved bulldog, Portia. He is predeceased by his parents, and his dearly beloved bulldogs Hooty, Whitbread, Katy, Warwick, Guinevere and Falstaff.
Anyone who met Dick was touched by his humor and his desire to help people. Most importantly, he loved making people's lives better through medicine and encouraged living by Christian values.
The memorial service will be held at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 8011 Douglas Ave., Dallas, Texas, 75225, on Thursday, May 25, 2017, at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick's memory to the The Kinkaid School Scholarship Endowment Fund. Please send checks payable to The Kinkaid School, 201 Kinkaid School Drive, Houston, TX 77024, c/o Tom Moore.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home & Hillcrest Mausoleum & Memorial Park.
May 25, 2017
Friend
Spencer McGowan
A truly amazing inventor, business man, and doctor. We will miss Dick, a beacon of light, love, and laughter.
May 25, 2017
Jim Vandermade
Dear Liz, I'm so sorry I can't be with you today. Ever since Dick and I were the most unlikely of roommates freshman year in college he has been the most loyal and steadfast friend. Behind his Texas bravado was the kindest and most compassionate man I have ever had the privilege to know. I'll deeply miss our random phone calls and occasional visits. Know that I'm thinking of you and Dick today. With love and sympathy, Jim
May 24, 2017
I have never met a Gentleman like Dick Respess! He was an incredible human being who was like a big brother to me! I will cherish our friendship! Liz, he adored and loved you so much!
Love,
Laura
May 24, 2017
Sue Lamb
I never had the priviledge to meet you Mrs. Respess. I did however have the honor to work with Dr. Respess for several years at Palo Pinto General Hospital. He was an extraordinary gentleman and physician. I am so sorry for your loss.
May 24, 2017
Burney Gibson
Liz-- I was so sorry to hear of Dick's death. Along with his many other friends, I'll miss him tremendously. He was simply a great friend and a great person. He showed an amazing amount of toughness in fighting this horrible illness.
I'll always be proud and consider it lucky to have been his friend.
Burney
May 23, 2017
Melissa Lemons
This was an awesome man. I have never meet a doctor who was so compassionate. This wonderful man meant so much to our family. His kindness to my mother will never be forgotten.
All our love to Liz.
Melissa Penland Lemons
May 21, 2017
Daryoush Toofanian
I had the good fortune to work with him as an expert witness. Dr. Respess was a legend and will be missed.
Prayers to his family.
RIP friend.
May 20, 2017
Worked with Dr. Respess for a little while here in Dallas. He was an amazing doctor!
May 19, 2017
Mary Ann McKinley
Liz, I am so sorry for your loss. I so enjoyed visiting with Dick (and you) at the Dallas area Kinkaid reunions. It was always fun to talk about Galveston, even though we never connected down there. My prayers are with you and your family.
May 19, 2017
James Tang
Dear Liz and Family,
Dick was one of the first classmates at Kinkaid for me to meet when I first entered there as a new student in the tenth grade, in September, 1963. He made me feel instantly at home in a new environment. I am fortunate to have been his friend ever since, graduating from high school with him and going to the same college, Princeton, and sharing the same medical profession, and the same passion for golf. Best of all we shared our Christian belief and conservative views. He was a dear friend that I was able to share my thoughts and views with, and we saw eye to eye on so many things. He had a keen intelligent and could discuss cogently any subject be it history, politics, sports, cars, medicine, architecture, whatever. He also made the best rum punch that I have ever tasted. I will miss him dearly. We know that he is at home with the Lord.
Jim and Elizabeth Tang
May 19, 2017
Friend
Maria Klein
Dick and I went to The Kinkaid School in Houston. After graduation he went on to Princeton and I was attending college also on the East Coast. Dick would invite me down for several weekends during our first year away from home. After one year in Yankeeville I moved back to Texas and U.T. I kept up with Dick thru the Kinkaid Network and reunions. Blessings to Liz and his family.
Maria Whitmore Klein
May 19, 2017
To Liz and Dick's Family and Friends-
I met Dick Respess more than 50 years ago at college. Dick and I were club-mates at Tiger Inn and I got to know Dick and Liz when Pat and I moved to Dallas. Pat and I offer our prayers and condolences to Liz and Dick's family and friends. May he rest in peace.
John and Pat Tosi
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