Richard "Dick" Lillie was a much loved and revered icon of planning in Texas. For 40 years he exuded consummate professionalism. His list of professional accomplishments and services is laudable and noteworthy. But the mentoring impact that Dick has had on professionals and academics is downright astonishing. Inducted into the College of Fellows of AICP in 2000. Dick is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nelda Lillie; their daughters Suzanne Hill (husband David) of Cedar Park, Texas and Julianne Lillie of Austin, Texas; 3 grandchildren, Kathryn Hill, Wolf Pauley and Kayleigh Pauley (fiancé Will); 2 great-grandchildren Daeona Kingston and Malakii Dawson. He is also survived by his brothers, Bob Lillie (wife Sharon) of Decorah, Iowa, John Lillie (wife Claire) of Bryan, Texas, and sister-in-law Joan Lillie of Everett, Washington. OBITUARY: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/statesman/obituary.aspx?n=richard-ransom-lillie&pid=196421076 Virtual Celebration of Life Service to be held: Date: July 8th, 10am To join in, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84020480411?pwd=eEwweDRWTW1wOVY1MzJNaVEvMlFmdz09 Meeting ID and Password:
Texas Oral History Project - Dick, Lillie, FAICP Read about Dick's illustrious planning career and accomplishments!Please share any memories or kind words below in the comments section:
12 Comments
6/23/2020 11:32:13 am
I was shocked to learn today of Dick's death and I join his family, friends and professional colleagues in Texas and throughout the nation as we grieve the loss of one of our very best.
Joe Vining
6/23/2020 12:38:01 pm
Dick was one of my favorite grad school instructors. I remember him critiquing a land use plan of a fellow student in such a thoughtful and kind way, that it made you concentrate on what other possibilities existed, rather than what a poor plan it was. He was truly a great mentor to me in my early days with the City of Round Rock. 6/23/2020 12:41:42 pm
It was such an honor to have been able to work with Dick during my career. I looked forward to every APA conference to see his and his bride's smiling faces! My prayers are with Nelda.
Nadia Hernandez
6/24/2020 06:19:25 am
Rest in Peace 6/24/2020 09:08:42 am
The APA Texas Chapter is honored to make a memorial donation to the APA Foundation, in memory of our colleague, mentor and friend. He will be missed.
Ben Luckens
6/24/2020 10:46:58 am
Dick set the bar for all of us.
Gary Mitchell
6/28/2020 02:12:03 pm
I only knew Dick Lillie in his "retirement" years, when he held down that uneventful little gig of growing APATX into what it is today as Executive Administrator. But whenever I sensed someone coming up behind me and gently grabbing my arm, whether at an APA national or TX conference, a regional Commissioner training, or a social occasion, I knew some Lillie wisdom was about to be imparted. I was always much the better for it. I'm so glad getting to know Nelda was part of the deal.
Carol D Barrett
6/29/2020 11:00:02 am
Dick was determined that I get to know planning and planners when I moved to Texas. He introduced me around from his perch in the private sector and insisted that I join the local section. Years later, I returned the favor by inviting Dick to assume the position of Chapter Administrator after a disastrous experience with an association professional. Dick loved planning and by extension all those who practiced it. I can't tell you how many wonderful bottles of white wine we consumed -- the three of us -- over the years just visiting. Even after he retired from the Chapter, he retained a keen interest in what we were doing and prodded me for financial details about our success in Waco. Nelda served the community in her many years at UT and pitched in as half of the Executive Administrator. In all the years I knew Dick, I don't think I ever heard him say an unkind word about someone. He was a much nicer person than I will ever be. He was a much nicer, kinder person than most of us.
Cameron Walker
6/29/2020 11:25:35 am
Dick was a tremendous influence on me and all the planners he came in contact with. I so enjoyed working with him on CPAT events and also as the Chapters Awards Committee Chair. He will be sorely missed. Nelda, my prayers are for you and your family.
Craig Bell
6/30/2020 05:37:55 pm
Thoughtful, receptive, caring, dedicated, intrepid but flexible, Dick was a powerful public servant and a terrific leader.
Karen Walz
7/6/2020 01:35:17 pm
I met Dick almost as soon as I moved to Texas in the mid-1980’s. He was working in the private sector then, and I had been recruited to come to Austin as part of the team that managed planning after Dick’s retirement from the City. He was always so helpful and generous with his time, expertise and wisdom, gifts that became even more important as the economy crashed and the politics got crazier. After I left Austin, I continued to benefit from Dick’s personal friendship and insightful views about the planning issues we both advocated. It was a real stroke of luck that Dick took on the Executive Administrator role for APATX as he helped lead it to become one of the best and most creative Chapters in the country. I was very fortunate to continue working with Dick while he was in that role. I value even more his and Nelda’s friendships which continued even after his “official” retirement from APATX – not that it kept him from staying involved and supportive! Dick truly has made Texas communities better places, and he has enriched me – and so many others – as a colleague, collaborator and friend.
Ann Bagley
7/9/2020 12:11:05 pm
Dick's (and Nelda's) love for planning and planners will always be with us. In all his various roles, he was truly a very special person. Leave a Reply. |
