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. Buckley ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 229 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 8, 2023. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House