Richard L. Theiss

Richard Loring (Dick) Theiss, Sr. passed away peacefully at the age of 87 at his home in Baytown with his two youngest children at his side.

Dick was born July 13, 1934, in Chester, W. VA. to Martin Greenwood Theiss and Margaret Elizabeth (Theiss) Carpenter, the fourth of five children, he attended school in Chester and at the age of 17 enlisted in the US Air Force.

During his 10 year career serving our country he was stationed from 5th Royal AFB, Sidi Slimane N. Africa – Morocco, Ramstein AFB, Kaiserslautern, Germany, Sampson AFB, Geneva, NY, Royal AFB, Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire, England, Langley AFB, Hampton, VA, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX, Barksdale AFB, Shreveport, LA, Dyess AFB, Abilene, TX, Lockbourne AFB, Columbus, OH, Vance AFB, Enid, OK to Los Angeles AFB, Alhambra, CA.

While stationed in Abilene Dick met Verna Sims, a beautiful university student and the two fell in love. Upon her graduation, the couple married August 25, 1957, in Las Vegas, NV. They began their lives as parents one year later with the birth of their first son, Chet. Shortly before the end of his AF career they welcomed the birth of their fifth child, Linda.

In 1965 Dick was hired to work at NASA in Texas, so with 5 children in tow the family traveled from Oklahoma to make their forever home in Baytown. He worked as Crew Chief Supervisor on the LLRV (Lunar Lander Research Vehicle) and LLTV (Lunar Lander Training Vehicle) at Johnson Space Center in Clearlake, Ellington Field in Houston as well as Edwards AFB in CA. Which landed him an appearance in NASA’s documentary “300 Feet to the Moon” located in the Smithsonian today. In 1970 the family also landed their 6th child and 5th son, Kevin.

Dick retired from General Telephone & Electric in 1994. During the time that he was not traveling with work and after retiring his favorite pass times were racing homing pigeons and spending time at their lake house where he served as POA President.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 62 years, Verna Mae Theiss, son, David Theiss, brother, Donald Theiss, sister(s), Thelma Franzek and Deloris Harmon.

Survivors include his oldest son, Chet Theiss and wife Carol, son, Carl Theiss and wife Mandy, son, Alan Theiss, daughter, Linda Theiss, and son, Kevin Theiss, grandson(s) Trace Theiss, Clay Theiss, Derek Theiss, Nick Theiss, Evan Flippo and Cary Flippo, granddaughter(s) Jennifer Pederson, Victoria Theiss and Mykal Lorin Flippo, great-granddaughter(s), Caroline, Brooklyn and Isabelle Pederson and Lexie Mae Theiss, Sister In Law, Jo Ann Theiss, Brother In Law(s), Frank Sims and wife, Nell and Ronnie Sims and wife, Vivian, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

USAF burial and honors graveside services for Dick as well as Interment of Verna will be at 2:15 p.m., Monday, January 3, 2022, at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX  77038 with Pastor Henry Stevenson, III officiating.