Richard Benson Whittenburg Jr.

Richard Benson Whittenburg, Jr. passed away in his home on his beloved ranch in Ector County, Texas, on April 13, 2023. Richard Jr. was born in Odessa to Addie Mae and Richard Benson Whittenburg, Sr., on November 15, 1946. 1946 - 2023…it has been said that what matters most about a life well spent are the things represented by the dash. Richard’s dash was definitely more interesting than most. Richard Whittenburg, Jr. spent most of his growing up years in Odessa, Texas, as a loving son, brother, and friend. People love to recall stories from these early years that set the tone for an adventurous life…how Richard accidentally tossed a live rattlesnake that landed around the ankles of a friend, brought home a few sticks of dynamite absconded from a railroad storage shed, and spent hours racing a homemade dune buggy around a dry lake bottom on the family’s ranch (with only one gallon of gas at a time in case it flipped over). Many of Richard’s youthful adventures happened in the company of his lifelong friend, Robert Verner. After graduating from Odessa High School, where he excelled on the golf and football teams, Richard went to Odessa College and then attended the University of Texas El Paso on a golf scholarship. After college, he was a golf professional in San Angelo and San Antonio before landing at Hillcrest Country Club in Lubbock, Texas, in 1976. Richard retired from a second career as a senior vice president at City Bank Texas. Never one to be idle, Richard had many avocations including competitive pistol shooting, model aviation, and, most prominently, football officiating. His first officiating assignment was in Wall, Texas, where at the time the residents of the town would park their cars around the field to light the game if it ran after dark. After many years of dedicated work on the football field, Richard worked his way up to the college ranks, starting as a field judge with the Southwest Conference and then as an umpire for the Big 12 conference. He was known as a football rules guru, and forged strong friendships with many of his officiating crew members. A very important passion in Richard’s life that he shared with his wife Lisa was the family’s ranch in Odessa and their animals. Over the years, in both Lubbock and on the ranch in Odessa, they cared for a veritable menagerie of animals including mountain lions, bobcats, a white tiger, hawks, opossums, deer, raccoons, and of course horses and the family's cattle. Many of the animals that passed through Richard’s life were due to friendships with Texas Game Wardens and wildlife rehabilitators, providing a valuable service in the care of orphaned and injured wildlife. Richard is survived by his loving wife and co-adventurer of 32 years, Lisa Bristo Whittenburg, two daughters, Kristin and Jamie Whittenburg, one granddaughter, Piper Whittenburg, many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and his faithful canine companion, Sabrina. He is also survived by his first wife and mother of his daughters, Helen Verner Alford (John). He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Patricia Whittenburg Elrod. Services for Richard Whittenburg, Jr. will be held for family at graveside in the Whittenburg Family Cemetery in Ector County, Texas on Friday, April 21, 2023, 11:30 AM. Family members attending are asked to observe a casual dress code, and a reception will be held after the services in the family home. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.

Tributes

Richard Benson Whittenburg Jr.

April 13, 2023