In Memoriam - Richard Houk

Richard J. Houk PH.D. (August 19, 1921 - February 17, 2012)

Richard J. Houk PH.D., 90, passed away Friday, February 17, 2012 at Holy Cross Village in Notre Dame, Indiana. Born on August 19, 1921 in Logansport, Indiana to the late Edward P. and Florence (Minneman) Houk. Dr. Houk was a 1933 graduate of St. Vincent DePaul grade school in Logansport, Indiana, and 1937 graduate of Logansport High School. In 1941 he received his BA Degree in Geography from Indiana University and then later in 1950 received his Ph.D. in Geography from Northwestern University where his thesis was on “The Portuguese Maritime Fishing Industry”.

Richard retired as a Professor of Geography for DePaul University where he founded the Geography Department and taught for over 50 years beginning in 1946. He was known for his innovative teaching methods.

In 1943 he joined the Army Air Corps. In 1944 because of his ability to speak Spanish and Portuguese he was selected for duty with the Weather Service at a secret air base in the Azores. From his Ph.D. thesis he composed a chapter in the Encyclopedia Britannica regarding the Portuguese fishing industry. Additionally he was published in Collier’s Encyclopedia and many scholarly geographic publications. During his long career Dr. Houk received many awards and recognitions. In 1964 he was awarded the decoration of Caballero del Orden de Merito Civil by the Spanish Government in recognition of years of unique efforts to increase and improve good relations between the U.S. and Spain. Dr. Houk was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship and in 1967 and 1968 he lived in Portugal and studied Portugal’s agricultural industry. Dr. Houk founded the DePaul Geographical Society, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Over his lifetime he visited in excess of 100 countries on 6 continents and led tour groups to many of these. His favorites included Portugal and Spain. He was very devoted to his family by whom he is survived including a brother, James (Agnes) Houk of South Bend, many nieces and nephews including Peggy and John Gibney of South Bend, Phillip and Lynda Houk of Fort Wayne, Thomas Houk of San Diego, Larry and Mary Gingrich of Valparaiso, IN, Paul and Kim Gingrich of Plattsburgh, NY, and Dan and Peggy Gingrich of Logansport, IN. One niece, Janet Mullineaux. one nephew, Patrick J. Houk, one sister, Betty Gingrich, and one brother, J. David Houk, preceded him in death.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am CST Thursday, February 23, 2012, at St. Athanasius Catholic Church in Evanston, IL, a parish he attended for many years. Mozart’s Requiem will be performed live in the service. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00am CST until the time of services. Graveside services will be held at 1:00pm EST on Friday, February 24, 2012, with a visiting time 30 minutes prior to the service at the Mount Hope Cemetery Chapel, Logansport, IN with full military graveside rites. The family asks that in lieu of flowers masses and prayers be offered for the repose of his soul, or contributions be made to Misericordia Heart of Mercy in Chicago, IL and the St. Vincent DePaul Society. Arrangements have been entrusted with Gundrum Funeral Home in Logansport, IN.

If you wish to sign Dr. Houk's guestbook, click here.

Source: Gundrum Funeral Home website
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Dear Colleagues,

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death this past Saturday of Dr. Richard J. Houk, age 90. A World War II veteran, Dr. Houk was a Professor Emeritus of the Department of Geography in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. He was the longest serving faculty member in the history of DePaul University joining the university in 1946. Dr. Houk founded the Department of Geography as well as the DePaul Geographical Society, and served as a mentor and inspiration to countless students and faculty members. During his long career Dr. Houk received many awards and recognitions.

In 1963 he was awarded the decoration of Caballero del Orden de Merito Civil by the Spanish Government in recognition of years of unique efforts to increase and improve good relations between the U.S. and Spain. Dr. Houk was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship and in 1967 and 1968 he lived in Portugal and studied Portugal's agricultural industry. Over his lifetime he visited in excess of 100 countries on 6 continents and led tour groups to many of these. After his retirement he was an active member of the DePaul Emeritus Society.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 23rd at St. Athanasius Church, 1615 Lincoln Street, Evanston, Illinois. Mozart's Requiem will be performed live in the service. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will take place in his hometown of Logansport, Indiana. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, masses and prayers be offered for the repose of his soul, or contributions may be made to Misericordia Heart of Mercy in Chicago, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. May he rest in peace. A university memorial service will be planned at a later date.

Thank you.

Source: Mission and Values, DePaul University, February 20, 2012

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Remembering Dr. Dick Houk

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death this past Saturday (February 18th, 2012) of Dr. Richard J. Houk, age 90. Dr. Houk was a Professor Emeritus of the Department of Geography. He was the longest serving faculty member in the history of DePaul University joining the university in 1946. Dr. Houk founded the Department of Geography in 1949 and the DePaul Geographical Society in 1961. He served as a mentor and inspiration to countless students and faculty members. During his long career Dr. Houk received many awards and recognitions. A World War II veteran, in 1963 he was awarded the decoration of Caballero del Orden de Merito Civil by the Spanish Government in recognition of years of unique efforts to increase and improve good relations between the U.S. and Spain. Dr. Houk was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship and in 1967 and 1968 he lived in Portugal and studied Portugal's agricultural industry. Over his lifetime he visited in excess of 100 countries on 6 continents and led tour groups to many of these. He taught until 2010 and continued to offer lectures at the monthly meeting of the DePaul Geographical Society. A keen student of the world, we in the Department are deeply appreciative of Dick's service to DePaul and Geography. He will be greatly missed.

Source: Liberal Arts and Social Science, Department of Geography, http://las.depaul.edu/geography/About/NewsAndEvents/index.asp 


To listen to Dick Houk's remembrances go to the DES Oral History Project.