Richard Edward Bartoskewitz

Richard Edward Bartoskewitz, 83, passed away on April 16, 2023 in Bryan, Texas.

Richard was born on December 4, 1939 in San Antonio, Texas to Edgar Frank Bartoskewitz and Anna Charlotte Ott Bartoskewitz. He graduated from St. Gerard High School in San Antonio, Texas, in May 1957. He received a Bachelor’s degree in 1969 and a Master’s degree in 1970, both in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University. He married the love of his life, Polly Gae Chamberlain, on July 3, 1965.

Richard was employed by the Texas A&M University system for nearly five decades. He started his career as a researcher with the Texas Transportation Institute and spent the majority of his career as a lecturer and undergraduate student adviser in the Civil Engineering Department of the College of Engineering. “Mr. B”, as he was known by his students, taught or advised more than 5,000 students in his career. He received many distinctions, including the Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award. Richard was also the faculty advisor to the Corps of Cadets Company E-2 (Mascot Company). He retired in January 2016 after 48 years of service.

Richard was a member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. He served in the 182^nd Fighter Squadron of the 149^th Fighter Wing of the Texas Air National Guard at Kelly Air Force Base from 1965 through 1972, where he was a Weapons Control System radar technician on the F-102 Delta Dagger All-Weather Fighter-Interceptor aircraft.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Polly Gae Chamberlain Bartoskewitz; his son and daughter-in-law, Richard Travis Bartoskewitz and Patricia Januszewski Bartoskewitz of Houston, Texas; his daughter and son-in-law, Laura Catherine Bartoskewitz Strmiska and Bernard Daniel Strmiska of Georgetown, Texas; his grandchildren, Jacob Daniel Strmiska and Caleb Andrew Strmiska of Georgetown, Texas; and several cousins.

The family would like to thank all of the following staff for their compassionate care given to Richard in the past year: St. Joseph’s Health Regional Hospital, M.D. Anderson, CHI St. Joseph Health Rehabilitation Hospital, Legacy Nursing and Rehabilitation, St. Joseph’s Manor, Traditions Home Health and Traditions Hospice. Special thanks to Victor, Brittany, Lisa, Gabriel and Lisa.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023 from 5 – 7 pm at Callaway-Jones Funeral and Cremation Center, with a rosary to follow the visitation at 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Center, College Station on Friday, April 28, 2023 at 10:00 am with interment to follow at the Aggie Field of Honor.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that a donation be made to one of the following: a wildlife conservation, national parks conservation, or other charitable organization of your choice; or the Texas A&M Foundation – Dr. Lee Lowery ’60 Scholars Program.