RICHARD LAWRENCE BLACK, 76, died July 2, 2009 after a difficult two-month battle with illness. Born November 8, 1932 in Kittanning, PA, he graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in civil engineering. He served in the US Army and worked in a variety of engineering fields including general construction, manufacturing, electronics, oil & gas, golf course construction, and ended his career with the City of Houston at Intercontinental, Hobby and Ellington airports. He was a pianist, master carpenter, banjo player, stereophile, voracious reader, philosopher, sailor, swimmer and runner. He will be remembered most for his unwavering devotion to his beliefs and values, and the way news of his family never failed to brighten his day, even in his most difficult times. He is at peace now with the love of his life, Mary Ann, their daughter Patricia Jean Murphy, and his parents Gerald and Ruth, who predeceased him. He is survived by his daughters Ruth Anne and husband John Fink of Spring, TX, Dr. Mary Katherine Delmedico of Raleigh, NC; sons James Lawrence and wife Jodie of Plainfield, IL, Michael Keller and wife Kimberly of Katy, TX; son-in-law Kevin Michael Murphy; sister Jean and husband Robert Lorenzetti of Dayton, OH; brother Robert and wife Rosalie of Mechanicsburg, PA; 16 grandchildren: Courtney, Joseph, Kathryn, Allison, Deborah, Jaimie, Paige, Erin, Anne Marie, Garrett, Victoria, Luke, Patricia, Alexander, Trevor, and Carson; and great-grandchild Gwendolyn. He was a parishioner of the Catholic Community of St. Cecilia. Vigil Service will be Monday, July 6, 2009 at 6 pm, at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Frwy. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 11:00 am, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Drive. Rite of Committal will follow at Woodlawn Garden of Memories. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you spend time treasuring your family in honor of Dick's unending devotion to his own.

Houston Chronicle - July 6, 2009