Obituaries

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William Allen Rathgeber, 73, of Dallas, Texas, passed away at homesurrounded by family on September 7, 2020, after a 7-year battle with cancer. Bill was born on December 16, 1946 in DuBois, Pennsylvania to William D. Rathgeber and Marian Jane (Allen) Rathgeber. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of New Mexico, where he played center and long snapper for the Lobos football team, and earned a Master of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Missouri. He married Cathryn Stooksberry on June 10, 1972, in Amarillo, Texas. 

Bill proudly served his country in the United States Air Force as did his father, brother and sister, retiring as a Lt. Colonel after twenty years. During his service, he managed programs for the National Emergency Airborne Command Post,  Presidential Support Communications, and Air Force One. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Bill joined Rockwell Collins in Plano as an engineer and program manager specializing in communications systems.  He retired from Rockwell in 2009.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman who loved golf, skiing, and especially camping with his two sons.  Bill participated as an adult leader in his sons’ Boy Scout troops, Troops 221 and 1001. He accompanied them on countless camping, backpacking, canoeing, diving, and climbing trips and was extremely proud that both sons attained the rank of Eagle Scout. 

Bill also loved hockey, faithfully attending both his sons’ games and fanatically following his Dallas Stars. He was an active member of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, serving as an Elder.  His return to the Holy Land with the church was a highlight.

Bill is survived by Cathy, his wife of 48 years, his son Bryan (Margaret), sister Susan (BJ), brother David (InSuk), as well as beloved extended family and friends. Bill was preceded in death by his son Jeffrey and his parents.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23

Click here to view Nancy's Memorial Service on Feburary 19, 2022

Nancy Ruth Nevill died at the age of 75 on February 8, 2022 fromcomplications of COVID-19. She was born on December 28, 1946, the daughter of Charles E. Neiman and Milded Ruth Neiman. Her childhood was spent in Indianapolis in a modernized log cabin located on a small lake, part of land owned by Eli Lilly & Co. Construction of a dam with resulting flooding forced a move of the family directly to the Lilly estate. Charles was land manager of the estate which included the greenhouse. From this experience Nancy always enjoyed fresh cut flowers in the home. 

After High School Nancy entered Indianapolis Methodist Hospital Nursing School graduating in 1966 with a Registered Nurse (RN) degree. She was then employed by Indiana University General Hospital. During the next several years she gained experience, among other specialties, in neonatal, psychotherapy, and dialysis nursing. She was on the National Research Team which first explored the question of whether home dialysis was better for the patient than a dialysis hospital center. (It is not!)  Following her marriage to William (Bill) Nevill in 1979 the family moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where she volunteered at the hospital of Barksdale Airforce Base. What started as a few days a week resulted in full time management of the operating rooms.  This led to employment at Willis-Knighton Medical Center in eye surgery and later organ transplant surgery.

She was a founding officer of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses. At Highland Springs she chaired the Health and Wellness Committee which oversees the Medical Program.

The church and singing were a major part of Nancy’s life. From a 10-year-old soloist at Crooked Creek Baptist Church with her family, to the Adult Choirs at Indianapolis 2^nd Presbyterian, Shreveport Presbyterian, Canyon Creek Presbyterian, and Rockfish Presbyterian churches she lived her faith in song.

She was a courageous and dedicated wife and stepmother having, at age 33, married Bill, a 50-year-old widower with 5 children.  It worked—for 42years!

She was an avid church member.  As Deacon she attended to the spiritual and physical needs of the congregation.  As Elder she served on several Sessions and was Clerk of the Rockfish Session for many years.  At the Presbytery level she served on the Ministerial Relations Committee which handles personnel relationships of pastors.

Nancy is survived by her brother, Joseph Neiman, husband, Bill Nevill, 5 children: Paul, John, Steven, Anne, and Deborah, 11 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.                  

Click here to view George's Memorial Service on January 14, 2022.

In loving memory of George J. Tahu Jr. who passed away on January 6, 2022, at the age of 85. George is survived by his wife, Betsy, and his son, George III, his daughter, Tiffany, as well as “young” George’s family—wife Molly, and their two sons, Jackson and Benjamin. George was born in Dallas, Texas, to Helen and George Tahu, who predeceased him. His sibling, Jim Tahu, predeceased him and is survived by one daughter, Kristina. He is survived by his other sibling, Jerry Tahu and his wife Janie and daughter Carrie.

George graduated from Highland Park High School and spent eight years serving in the U.S. Navy Air Reserves. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He married Betsy and shortly after their marriage, they moved to Richardson, Texas, where they built the house that has been their home ever since.

George worked for Hewlett Packard/Agilent for 42 years, providing test and measurement system solutions for his customers. He is a life member of IEEE and was the recipient of the Third Millennium Medal. He was very involved with his son’s life by serving as a scout leader for the Boy Scouts, soccer coach, and proud promoter of NASA missions to Mars (by wearing shirts given to him by his son). He was also right beside his daughter, ready with video camera in hand, for ice skating competitions, high school drill team performances, and a constant support throughout her careers in advertising and education. Another source of satisfaction came from being a long-time member of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder and on various committees in service to the congregation.  George found great happiness in helping others.  He is already greatly missed. 

Click here to view Jeanne's Memorial Service

Helen Jean "Jeanne" Fife Helen Jean "Jeanne" Fife Hooker, beloved wife, mother, and Gigi joined her heavenly father at the age of 75 on January 16, 2020. She was diagnosed in 2020 with stage 4 colon cancer and liver cancer. She fought hard and in the end, the surgeries were just too much to overcome. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Lavoy Hooker; her son, Chad Hooker, and his family; and her daughter, Jill Lanyon, and her family. She had 4 loving grandchildren; Sam, Blake, London, and Palmer. Her younger brother Butch Fife lives with his wife in Sherman, TX. Jeanne was a dedicated member of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church where she had countless friends that supported her. She began her career with Lone Star Gas and retired with Atmos. She was transferred between different companies throughout her career keeping up her steady employment for over 40 years with the same employer. She was VERY committed to helping her local community and was on over 20 different boards and committees throughout her career. At one point Jeanne served as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Richardson Chamber. A memorial service will be held at CCPC on September 10, 2021, 3:00 p.m.

Dick’s life ended on July 30, 2021, just shy of his 91st birthday. He is predeceased by his high school sweetheart, soulmate, and wife of 67 years, Sue, and his son Thomas. He is survived by his daughter, Nancy Worth and sister-in-law Janice Stone, and many nieces and nephews.

Dick was born in Evanston, Illinois and spent the first 15 years in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. He graduated high school in South Bend Indiana, attended Northwestern University in Evanston, and received an MBA from Cal-Berkeley. He was a Korean War veteran and a resident of Richardson, Texas for over 40 years.

Dick had a fulfilling and meaningful career for over 45 years in the individual life and health insurance business. A lifetime Presbyterian, and a member of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, his passion was for the Interfaith Housing Coalition, now called Interfaith Family Services, a Christian community that provides housing and help for homeless families. Two nights a week he was involved with the families and volunteers. It was his Call for over twenty years.