Roll Call Tribute

William Richard "Dick" McCasland 

June 19, 1933 - July 29, 2023 

Dick McCasland was born on June 19, 1933, in McKinney, Texas to Susannah and William Thomas McCasland. In 1951, he graduated from McKinney Boyd High School. Dick graduated in 1955 from Texas A&M University with a degree in Civil Engineering, was a member of the Corps and Ross Volunteers, 1st Platoon.

After graduation, Dick worked for the Texas A&M University System as a traffic research engineer. As a pioneer in freeway research and implementation, he established himself as an international leader with more than 44 years of service to the Texas Transportation Institute, TTI. Additionally, Dick opened TTI's first satellite office; developed TTI's Interagency Research Program, which is now named "Intelligent Transportation Systems," and directly administered numerous traffic innovations in Houston, Harris County. While serving on the Transportation Research Board, TRB, Dick received TTI's first TRB award, among additional honors and recognition.

Dick, a devoted member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, was a lifetime member of the Board of Stewards and Genesis Sunday School Class. He served on Chapelwood's parking ministry, was a funeral usher in addition to other ministries.

A true gentleman, a gentle soul and loyal friend, Dick appreciated nature, tennis, running, golf, especially in Montana with friends and the Chapelwood golf group. As a game player, he relished playing bridge with his best partner Linda. While road trips were his "specialty," he was fond of traveling internationally, driving in Scotland, not so much.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Frances Ann Richardson and husband Frank, brother Stuart and wife Lynda, bother-in-law Harvey Alex and nephew David Alex.

Dick is survived by his wife of 40 years, Linda, sister-in-law, Pat Alex, nieces and nephews Susanne Callender and husband Jay, Randy McCasland, Kathleen Mullins and husband Dennis, Sandy McCasland, Mackey Richardson and wife, Amy, Brian McCasland and wife Rebecca, Kerry Lischka and husband Troy, and Kevin Alex and wife Kristen. He is also survived by 23 great nieces and nephews and five great great nieces and nephews. He leaves behind a wealth of close, lifelong friends.

The family wishes to extend appreciation to caregivers Von Atkins, Rhonda Blackshear, the caregivers of StoneCreek of Copperfield, Senior Helpers, and Aspire Hospice for their loving care.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 26, at 11 am in the chapel at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay St., Houston, Tx 77024.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Chapelwood Foundation or the charity of your choice.