San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Richard Charles Batz
December 28, 1942 - October 10, 2023
Richard Charles Batz, Sr., age 80, of San Antonio, passed away on October 10, 2023.
Richard was a loving father and doting grandfather who devoted his entire existence to the happiness and success of his family and friends. With a heart filled with love and hope, he was a counselor, champion, and role model to everyone who had the great fortune to enter his life. He was intelligent, thoughtful, charismatic, and had a remarkable grit to rise above any challenges life presented. His laughter could light up a room and his sense of humor was charming and infectious.
Born in New Jersey, but raised in St. Louis, Missouri, he graduated with honors from Webster Groves High School in 1960 and was an Eagle Scout. Richard went on to excel at Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, earning a history degree with a perfect 4.0 GPA and a masters degree in history with a thesis on the history of Ft. Sam Houston. He served his nation with distinction in the Vietnam War, rising to the rank of Captain and receiving the
National Defense Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.
It was in San Antonio that his life took a new and beautiful turn when he met the love of his life, Louise Hamilton Holshouser Batz. Their love story was one for the ages, and they were devoted to one another from the very first day and built a life and a family truly worth living for. Richard was a gifted interior designer in San Antonio for fifty years. He loved sharing his ability to decorate homes and plan events for his clients, many of whom were his closest friends.
Richard is preceded in death by his beloved bride and soulmate, Louise, as well as his parents, Earl and Mildred Batz, and her parents Dr. and Mrs. Charles Augustus Holshouser Sr.
He is survived by his son, Dr. Richard Charles Batz, Jr., and his wife,
Dr. Ginger Isom Batz, along with his cherished grandsons, Richard Sawyer Batz and Riley Bruce Hamilton Batz. His daughter, Laura Hamilton Batz Townsend, and her husband, Michael Patrick Townsend, continue his legacy, as do their children, Ella Batz Townsend and Mary Louise Hamilton Townsend. His sister-inlaw, Joanne Ellen Holshouser, his brother-in-law, Dr. Charles Augustus Holshouser, Jr., and his wife, Sudie, and sons William Ripley Holshouser and Carl Kimball Holshouser, and their families. His brother-inlaw, John Hamilton Savage Holshouser, and his wife Patsy, and his sons John Hamilton Clayton Holshouser and Thomas Grant Holshouser, his half-sister Jeanette Batz Cooperman, his cousin Christine Batz, as well as numerous extended family members and lifelong friends, remember him with love and gratitude.
In celebrating his life, we honor the memory of a remarkable man who brought joy and warmth to all who had the privilege of knowing him.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023
9:30 A.M. MISSION BURIAL PARK SOUTH
The Rev. Scott Kitayama, officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made in Richards’ name to the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation, 7000 Juneberry Cove, Austin, TX 78750, https://louisebatz.kindful. com/.