Col. Richard J. “Dick” Wieland, USAF Ret.

Richard J. Wieland, 83, of Lockhart, Texas passed away peacefully at home Sunday June 9, 2013, after a prolonged period of declining health.

Dick was born on Oct. 10, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pa., the only child of the late Ralph Wieland and Margaret Metz Wieland. He grew up in Tacoma Park, Md., before attaining his BA in Education from the University of Maryland at College Pa

rk in 1951.  While in college Dick was active in ROTC and entered the US Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant after graduation. While on active duty, he was stationed at five bases in Texas and Okinawa during the Korean War. After seven years of service, he went to Washington, D.C., to attend Georgetown University Law School.  He then returned to Houston where he served as the first law clerk of Federal District Judge James Noel, after which he was hired as one of the first two attorneys at NASA’s Johnson Spacecraft Center. His time there during the Gemini and Apollo missions was a highlight of his career.  At that time he joined the USAF Reserves on flying status as a navigator, eventually earning the rank of Colonel.  It was also during this time that he met and married Sally Ann McEver, of Lockhart.

After 14 years at JSC, he was transferred to NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., as an assistant general counsel.  He retired from NASA and the USAF Reserves and moved to Austin, Texas where he practiced law and taught in the MBA program at St. Edward’s University.  He served as national president of the Federal Bar Association, and was instrumental in the creation of both the Austin chapter of the FBA and the Austin chapter of the American Inns of Court.

In 1997 he and Sally moved to her hometown of Lockhart where they chaired the dedication of the newly renovated Caldwell County Courthouse.  He was active in community organizations and the First United Methodist Church, as well as being elected to three terms on the Lockhart City Council.

Dick is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sally, and his daughter, Cari Wieland, of Austin.

The family will receive visitors from 6 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12 at McCurdy Funeral Home in Lockhart. Funeral service is scheduled at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 13, at First United Methodist Church of Lockhart. Interment with full military honors will follow at the Lockhart City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, those so moved are asked to donate in his name to Hospice Austin or Camp For All in Burton, Texas.

Arrangements under the care and guidance of McCurdy Funeral Home, 105 E. Pecan, Lockhart, Texas, 78644 (512) 398-4791.