88R8479 CW-D
By: Buckley H.R. No. 229
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to
a close with the passing of U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.)
Richard Grimes Castle of Salado on December 1, 2022, at the age of
75; and
WHEREAS, The son of Alfred and Adele Castle, Rich Castle was
born in Rochester, New York, on December 21, 1946, and he grew up
with two siblings, Edward and Charles; in 1958, he moved with his
family to Dayton, Ohio; he graduated from Oakwood High School and
received a business degree from Ohio University in 1968; and
WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty, Mr. Castle
completed U.S. Army basic training in 1969 and Officer Candidate
School at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was commissioned as a
second lieutenant the following year; he subsequently transferred
to Fort Ord, California, and became a training officer, and in 1971
and 1972, he served overseas with Military Assistance Command Teams
Vietnam; next assigned to Fort Hood in Killeen, he rose to the rank
of captain, and he was later sent to Hawaii, where he became a major
and battalion executive officer; he next attended Command and
General Staff College before returning to Fort Hood; and
WHEREAS, While assigned to the 13th Corps Support Command at
Fort Hood, Mr. Castle met his future wife, Captain Deborah "Borah"
Van Dormolen; they exchanged wedding vows on December 18, 1987, and
shared more than a quarter century together before Mrs. Castle's
death in 2013; the couple moved to Germany, where Mr. Castle was
promoted to lieutenant colonel, and he retired at Fort Hood in 1991;
his military awards included the Bronze Star Medal, the Army
Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Ribbon; and
WHEREAS, After settling in Salado, Mr. Castle went on to
cofound the ElectriChef grill company; he and his wife traveled to
Alaska, Canada, and Scotland to pursue their love of fly-fishing,
and they also made happy memories on a cruise to Australia;
Mr. Castle's other interests included cooking and cheering on the
Cleveland Browns and Ohio State football teams; known for his
generosity, he assisted others with their college loan debt and
housing needs, and he supported a number of charitable entities;
and
WHEREAS, Rich Castle earned the lasting respect and
admiration of all who were privileged to know him, and he leaves
behind a legacy that his loved ones can remember with pride; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of U.S. Army
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Richard Grimes Castle and extend
heartfelt condolences to his relatives and friends; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Rich
Castle.