Richard Bozman Hohlt

RICHARD BOZMAN HOHLT of Houston, TX died Thursday, January 3, 2013 after a prosperous happy life. Born on the 4th of July 1923, Richard was a native of Brenham, TX where he spent his early childhood. Later he attended the Oaks School for Boys in San Diego, CA. There he cared for a horse named “Sweetheart” whom he would always remember. He would return to Texas in 1953 as a husband, father, exploration geologist, and WW II veteran.

Richard had a sharp intellect and was a leader. In 1940 he began university studies at the Colorado School of Mines. The following year he enlisted and served 3 1/2 years with the US Army Corps of Engineers during WW II. He was one of 40 combat engineers from Mines known as the “fair haired boys’’. First Lt. Hohlt served his final year as Deputy Chief, Coal and Mining Section, Office of Military Government for Bavaria.

Richard had a lifelong passion for geology, languages, and human cultures. After the war he returned to Mines and completed his B.S. and M.S., 1947 and 1948, in Geological Engineering. In 1949 he studied economics, law, and languages at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of Johns Hopkins University. He worked and traveled four continents - eventually speaking four languages; English, Spanish, German, and French. He earned a PhD in Geology in 1977 from Rice University.

While studying at Mines, Richard met and married Katherine Marie Hoff of Des Moines, IA. when she was teaching elementary school in Denver. They married August 23, 1948. The couple lived in Washington DC, North Dakota, San Francisco, and New Orleans following Richard’s career as an exploration geologist. Next came son Richard Randal. In 1953 “Dick and K.” as they were known moved to Houston where they both had family, settled, and raised three children. They were early long-time active members of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. They traveled the world together, sang together - Dick had a lovely baritone voice, and made lifelong friends. K. passed March 14, 1987.

Richard is survived by his son Richard Randal Hohlt; daughters Mary K Walrod and Barbara Ann Hohlt; sister Betty Hohlt Pecore; cousins Ann Ramey and Allan Hohlt; son-in-law Clyde Barton Walrod; grandchildren Katherine Ellen Trumble and Mary Elizabeth Wilson; sister-in-law Mary Hoff Chesnut; nieces Kathy McAughan, Maggie Kirkpatrick, and Cami McKillop; nephews Daniel Arthur Pecore, Douglas Wilkin Pecore, and John William Pecore; grand nieces and nephews. Richard is also survived by his long time house keeper Nellie Padilla, yoga-instructor Susie Shapiro, and care-givers Marie Eclache, Hilaria Ferretiz and Rosie Gomez. He is preceded in death by wife Katherine Marie Hoff Hohlt and sister Joan Hohlt Wich.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday January 12, 2013 at Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St. Brenham, TX 979-836-3611 followed by a reception. Online tributes may be posted at www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com.