Obituaries

Richard Merrill Hewitt, 85, of Huntsville, Texas, passed away on May 15, 2023, peacefully at his home. He was born July 11, 1937, in Jackson, Michigan, to Merrill J. and Hope (Dorman) Hewitt. The family moved to Omaha, NE, where his father was a newspaper editor who also ran political campaigns. Dick often accompanied his father to meetings with the Governor of Nebraska and he developed a keen interest in politics from those experiences. He graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa, and attended Southern Methodist University School of Law, where he received his Master of Laws (LLM) and served as Editor of the SMU Law Review.

After graduating from law school, Richard opened a political consulting business in Dallas, however his career in politics was short-lived as the political winds changed abruptly with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 when all political campaigning ceased for six months. Richard joined the Securities & Exchange Commission as an enforcement attorney and eventually became the Regional Administrator over the SEC offices in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas. He found great humor in how his profession had evolved, admitting that he never took a course in Securities Law in law school. He left the SEC in 1978 and entered private practice and continued to practice Securities law until he retired in 2013 when he and his wife Karen relocated from Trophy Club to Huntsville, TX to be closer to family.

Richard was devoted to lifelong learning and was always interested in politics and current events. He loved books and filled his home with them, reading a book a day. He read three newspapers every day as part of his daily routine. He was a walking encyclopedia with an amazing memory to the end; his family and friends called him 'The Original GOOGLE'. He could converse with a certain amount of knowledge on almost any subject. He was always the smartest man in the room, but his intelligence was balanced with common sense. He never passed up an opportunity to ride a train or a subway or visit a museum or art gallery. His sense of humor was dry, he had a twinkle in his eye, and a laugh that could fill a room. He was an avid sports fan, and had season tickets to the Rangers, Mavericks and Cowboys games when he lived in D/FW, however his sports loyalty switched to the Astros and Texans when he moved to Huntsville.

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Karen Coker Hewitt, his children Stephen M. Hewitt (Mercedes Meyer) of Potomac, Maryland, Sarah A. Hewitt of Morrill, Maine, and Grant A. Hewitt (Dawn) of Henderson, Nevada, Melissa A. Mares of New Waverly, Texas, and his grandchildren, Merrill L. M. Hewitt, Spencer J. P. Hewitt, Matthew R. Ramsbacher, Caroline Repsold, and Jennifer C. Ramsbacher.

Richard was incredibly proud of the accomplishments of his wife, children and grandchildren and spoke of them frequently with anyone who would listen. He was also a kind and generous man who was always willing to help others. He will be deeply missed by all who know him. The family wishes to thank the staff of St. Joseph's Hospice for the loving care they provided Richard.

A private memorial service will be held at a future date in Omaha, NE where he will be laid to rest with his parents. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of the following: Christ The King Methodist Church, P.O. Box 6407, Huntsville TX 77342; SAAFE House, P.O. Box 1893, Huntsville, TX 77342; Senior Center of Walker County, 340 State Hwy 75 N, Suite F, Huntsville, TX 77320, and Huntsville Rotary Charities, P.O. Box 186, Huntsville, TX 77342. Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com.