Roll Call Tribute

Published in Corpus-Christi Caller-Times from Oct. 22 to Oct. 23, 2017

Richard Charles Haas(1948 - 2017)
Richard Charles Haas

Richard Charles Haas, 69, of Lakeway, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, in Lakeway. He was born on June 13, 1948, in Buda, Texas, to Richard Earnest "Dick" Haas and Louise Clark Haas. His sister, Trevlyn Jean Haas, was one year old at the time. The family lived in Buda for several years where his father managed the Herman Heep ranch before moving to Wichita Falls where he then worked for Allbright Moving and Transfer Company, owned by Louise's parents, Robert and Lora Clark.

When Richard was in elementary school his family moved to Corpus Christi where he attended Montclaire Elementary, Hamlin Junior High and Cullen Junior High. He attended Ray High School, and was a member of the Ritter Club, taught music lessons and played guitar in several bands. He then graduated from King High School the first year it was open.

Richard attended Texas A&M University at College Station as a second generation Aggie and graduated with a BBA in Marketing with the Class of 1970. Upon graduation he went to work for Mercantile Bank in Corpus Christi. He later worked with his father in the oil and gas industry for many years before starting his own business, Pinnacle Royalty and Operating Company (Proco). Richard was the first independent to drill horizontally in the Austin Chalk, being awarded two patents for the horizontal drilling technology and processes he developed. He was a featured speaker for World Oil conferences on the topics of horizontal drilling and drilling in the Austin Chalk. He was also an instructor for private drilling seminars and his articles were published in World Oil and American Oil and Gas Reporter.

Richard served on the board of directors for the Former Students' Association of Texas A&M University from 1989 to 1993, was twice President of the Corpus Christi A&M Club and was Aggie of the Year. He was an avid skeet shooter who won many awards and contributed a great deal to the community both by giving his time and providing financial support for youth shooters and the A&M shooting team. At the time of his death, he was the Vice President of Vortex Tools, LLC, and President of the recently established Poco Loco Operating, LLC.

Richard was preceded in death by his father, Richard E. Haas, his mother, Louise C. Haas, and his sister, Trevlyn J. Haas. He is survived by his wife, Tonya Brooks Haas, his five daughters, Tiffany Hull (Stephen), Emily Garmon (Shelby), Natalie Fredrickson (Eric), Jennifer Dennis (Jim), and Kathryn Haas, as well as a step-son, Andrew Pierce, and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at The Lakeway Church in Lakeway, Texas, on Saturday, October 28, 2017, at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to , of Richard's.