Richard John Huchel

With profound gratitude to the people who made his life the wonderful journey that it was, Richard (Huck) Huchel, age 74, motored his way home to God on August 16, 2021.  His life was filled with cherished family, world-wide friends, adventure, and travel.

Huck joined the Marine Corps at age 17 and served in Vietnam where he volunteered to fly 89 missions as a helicopter machine gunner rescueing wounded and trapped Marines.  Returning home after four years, he went to Montclair State College in New Jersey, where he met his wife Linda in a criminology class (he got an A).

Following graduation, Richard rejoined the Marine Corps for another 23 years and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.  His long and decorated career as an engineer and logistics officer sent him around the world, including conflicts in Bosnia.  After retiring from the Marine Corps, Richard became a project manager for Del Jen Inc., a defense contractor and Fluor Company, serving as a contractor, supervisor, designer and planner, including assisting in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and in Afghanistan.

As anyone can attest, Huck loved to talk and could engage absolutely anyone – from generals and heads of foreign countries to the local check-out person – and make them all laugh.  Huck also loved machines.  You name it, he drove it – from small sailboats to yachts, bicycles to quads, many motorcycles (one with a sidecar for Linda), a Model A and other classic cars (his purple ’57 Chevy!), and his latest loves, a tractor and excavator. He was also an amazing carpenter and built not only furniture, but realized a bucket list item when he built a guesthouse on his Texas property where his weekly shuffleboard (“Huchelboard”) cronies would yell, laugh and tell lies.

Finding Granbury, Texas in retirement was a huge blessing and Huck was an active member of the community from day one. Huck volunteered at the Acton Fire Department and Granbury Emergency Planning Committee, was a member of the Lions Club, Marine Corps League, American Legion, and was a charter member of the Military Officers Association of America.  He also ran for 3rd Precinct Hood County Commissioner.

Richard is survived by Linda, his wife of over 50 years who will miss sharing his crazy adventures and his promise of a laugh a day.  Left to cherish his memory are his daughters Kathleen Baligad, Sarah Huchel and Abigail Hoiland, grandchildren Aiden, Sebastian, and Gwendolyn, and sons-in-laws Roman, Kevin, and Ed.  Huck was very proud of his three daughters notably for the fact that when things went wrong, his girls would follow the family motto and with confidence, strength and grace “Figure it out”.

Lacy Funeral Home in Stephenville carried out the cremation service and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers may we suggest a donation to Lustgarten Foundation: Pancreatic Cancer Research. https://lustgarten.org

Special thanks to Interim Hospice and all the many friends who have devotedly supported, loved and prayed for us. It is with sadness, but thankfulness that we celebrate a life that was in more ways than one, Semper Fidelis.

“Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they ever made a difference in the world. But Marines don’t have that problem.”  Ronald Reagan