• Charles Frederick (Fred) Richter

Charles Frederick (Fred) Richter

Charles Frederick (Fred) Richter, age 90, of Thrall was called home by his Heavenly Father on Jan. 13, 2025.

Fred was born on July 7, 1934, to Martin and El s ie ( Patschke) Richter in Bishop.

Mr. Richter He was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thorndale.

He graduated from William Adams High School in Alice in 1953 and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1957.

He graduated from Texas A&M College in 1961 with a degree in agricultural economics.

He married the love of his life, Melva Woelfel, on Dec. 27, 1959. They celebrated their 61st anniversary prior to Melva’s passing in 2021.

A self-employed farmer/ rancher/engineer/mechanic, Fred was a strong, hard-working man with a kind, gentle spirit. His faith in God and his patience made him well-suited for this profession. A farmer at heart, this was his life, not just a job. He was always thinking about how he could make things work better.

Fred faithfully attended St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thorndale, serving as an elder for 35 years.

He served on the Williamson County Farm Bureau Board of Directors since 1987 and previously served as director of Texas Cotton Growers Cooperation, Thorndale Co-op and Lower Brushy Creek WCID. He was a member of the Williamson County Crops Committee for 52 years.

He was a past member of the Texas Young Farmers, receiving the Area VII Star Young Farmer award in 1969 and 1970. He was named 1970 Master Farmer of the Community by the Taylor Chamber of Commerce and 1998 Area Farmer of the Year by the Thorndale Chamber.

Fred was preceded in death by his beloved wife, parents, parents-in-law Martin and Adele (Lehman) Woelfel, brother Eugene Richter, brothers-in-law Jim Pryor, Sonny Glazener, Ed Richter and Arthur Woelfel, sister-inlaw Nyoka Richter and niece Kimberly Collier.

Fred leaves a legacy of honest, hard work and Christian values to his loving family and will never be forgotten.

He is survived by his son, Vincent Richter (Mary) of Thrall; daughters Vickie Korenek (Alan) of Rockdale, Darlene Rippamonti (Anthony) of Victoria and Lavonne Berdoll (Lance) of Bastrop; grandchildren Gretchen Rodgers (Brandon), Maia Richter (fiancé Tyler Carpenter), Randy Korenek (Matilda), Garrett Korenek (fiancé Lani Denman), Hannah Rippamonti, Kaylee Berdoll (fiancé Jimmie Smith), Travis Berdoll (Kaitlyn); 11 great-grandchildren; brother Harry Richter (Judy) of Kingsland; sisters Alice Glazener of Kingsland and Diane Locklin (Scott) of Thorndale; sister-in-law Dee Richter of Thorndale; several nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.

Funeral service were held at 2 p.m. Jan. 16 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thorndale with burial in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers were Rance Richter, David Richter, James Pryor, Steve Richter, Greg Hengst, Billy Felfe, Karl Schneider, Edgar Iselt and Ronnie Lehmann; and cousins Raymond Zoch, Kenneth Richter and Conrad Nietsch.

The directors of Williamson County Farm Bureau served as honorary pallbearers.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Condado, Dr. Stancoven and the entire cardiology team at Baylor Scott & White in Round Rock for their many years of competent care, as well as the staff and residents at SPJST Skilled Nursing for their care, friendship and support over the past few months. You are all a blessing to us.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church General Fund or Build The Vision Fund (PO Box 369, Thorndale, TX 76577).

Rockdale Reporter

221 E. Cameron Ave
Rockdale, TX 76567
512-446-5838