Richard, affectionately known as “Ricky” when he was younger, filled the space in his home as the “fill in father figure” when his father was a traveling businessman. When he wasn’t terrorizing his younger sisters, he was accompanying them to prom, sending them off on first dates or filling in as the “man” of the house. Growing up in Preston Hollow, Richard graduated from Hillcrest High School and moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas.

Richard took a break from UT during the Vietnam War to learn about making wine in France. He came back to graduate and fell in love with Barbara while in Austin. He thought she was the prettiest and smartest girl he had ever met, and did just about everything he could to scare any other possible suitors away. Golf and wine were lifelong passions for Richard, and after graduating from the University of Texas, he and Barbara started their life together.

The two saved up after getting married in 1976 and traveled the world. From the architecture of Europe to the tribal villages of Nepal to the safari lands of the Serengeti to the peaks of Kilimanjaro, that trip shaped both of their perspective on the world and how to treat others in this life.

Upon re-entering Dallas, Richard flipped a coin between computers and women’s fashion accessories in the Dallas Apparel Mart parking lot with a friend. Fashion won the coin toss and he never looked back. He worked over 35 years in women’s fashion and shaped the business and careers of hundreds of people in the fashion industry.

Richard loved spending time with his two daughters, Seychelle and Eryn. He cherished his time with each of them and transitioned from the wrestlemania tickle monster they knew as kids to the loving and supportive father they looked up to as adults. Eryn worked with Richard for a few years and forged a relationship during that time that created such special moments for the two of them. Seychelle and Richard had coffee every Friday for years that allowed them time to talk about life’s questions and has been a gentle guide for the harder times to come with Parkinson’s.

After Richard’s diagnosis with Parkinson’s, he worked to maintain his health and body with workouts and therapy multiple times a week. With the strong and unwavering support of Barbara, he taught so many of us that we can’t always control what happens to us but we can control the attitude we keep and the actions that we take.

Spending time in Crested Butte, Colorado with family and friends were always a staple for Richard. He loved entertaining with wine parties, boys’ weeks, New York markets and dinner functions. Richard was the consummate entertainer. As time went by the parties got smaller, but the laughter never ceased.

Richard passed away peacefully of natural causes on October 17, 2022, surrounded by his family. The family expresses sincere gratitude to his adoring sisters, Dr. Shilpa Chitnis, Gary Lisch, Dr. Geoff and Kathy Coates, Eli Escobar, Diane and Rory Divin who all helped him in his later stages of Parkinson’s. He loved his time with the St. Andrews UMC choir and the Parkinson’s Voice Project Loud Crowd who helped preserve his voice and dignity. The entire staff at Iris Memory Care and Paul Markowitz helped make his last months as comfortable and cared for as possible.

He was preceded in death by parents, Lois and Dick Poole. He is survived by Barbara Van Poole and daughters, Seychelle Engelhard (husband Nicholaas, granddaughter Quinn) and Eryn Van Poole, along with Sisters, Pam Adams (husband Jim), Susie Duggan (husband Lee), Debbie Tunnell (husband TR), Kathy Bateman (husband Mark), his 10 nieces and nephews and their children.

A Celebration of his Life will be planned in the coming days. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Parkinson Voice Project in Richard's name, Parkinsonvoiceproject.org.

Please note Barbara Van Poole's new address: 922 Sam Dealey Drive, Dallas Tx 75208.

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