Richard Reichenbach

Richard Carl Reichenbach 9/21/46- 2/12/19

"Lighthouse" Rick Reichenbach succumbed to his short battle with cancer on Tuesday, February 12. He died peacefully in his home in Port Aransas with his girlfriend Tracy Weatherall and longtime friend Elisa Lunt. He went out while listening to his favorite Keith Sykes song, You Got Gold. Rick was the 23rd keeper of the Lydia Ann Light House in Port Aransas for 12 years before retiring to Corn Island, Nicaragua in 2014.

Born Richard Carl Reichenbach on 9/21/1946 to Richard and Joy Reichenbach (both deceased) in Wyandotte, Michigan, he is survived by his sister Linda Gale and brother Tim Reichenbach, his two sons George Reichenbach and Michael Watson and two grandchildren Jason and Beckton Watson. He graduated from Havelock High School in North Carolina and had an Associate's degree in forestry from Wayne Community College in Kinston, NC.. His father was in the Marines and the family moved around to various military bases around the country.

Rick was an avid fisherman and loved to hunt. He loved living near the water. Before moving to the lighthouse, Rick worked in the construction business and was a cabinet maker. He also had a great love for music and loved to play the mandolin and guitar and would often host jam sessions with musicians who came to Port Aransas to perform, such as Keith Sykes, Michael Hearne, Chuck Pyle, Terri Hendrix, Kelley Mickwee, Walt Wilkins, Kinky Friedman, Larry Joe Taylor, Richard Leigh and Cody Canada. Rick was also active with the Animal Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) in Port Aransas and often joined the late Tony Amos on missions to rescue distressed wildlife such as sea turtles, dolphins, and marine birds.

Though he moved around much of his youth, Rick always considered himself from Ft. Worth and had many friends from there. He was once the cameraman for the KVTV series, Cowtown Jamboree, filmed each Saturday at the historic Panther Hall, a 2,000 person venue in the heart of Cowtown who regularly featured artists such as Ray Price, Patsy Cline, Faron Young, Johnny Bush, Bob Wills, Johnny Cash, Ernest Tubb, Lefty Frizzell, Dolly Parton and Roy Orbison.

Rick was a colorful character in Port Aransas and was a proud lighthouse keeper. He could often be seen riding around town on his motorcycle or frequenting his favorite watering holes, the Back Porch and Shorty's. There will be a celebration of his life this Sunday the 24th. The current lighthouse keeper, Captain Billy Gaskins will take Rick's ashes out to the lighthouse at 5:00 pm on the Mustang and spread them around the grounds and from the tower. Later his friends will celebrate his life with food and music at Shorty's. These were his final wishes

Online condolences may be sent to www.charliemarshallfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements entrusted to
Charlie Marshall Funeral Homes and Crematory
2003 W. Wheeler Ave