Dr. Richard Allen Mayse

Diagnosed with a glioblastoma in June, he faced a formidable cancer with grace and quiet strength beyond measure. To those who knew him, this has been his character throughout his life.

The family would like to thank the staff at Heart to Heart Hospice for their devotion to patient care. UTSW Neuro Oncology, specifically Dr. Edward Pan, Dr. Dan Tu, UTSW Neurosurgery Dr. Bruce Mickey, and UTSW Neurology Dr. Benjamin Greenberg for their outstanding compassion and care.

Strong, quick with his dry wit and humor, he loved his family and grandsons. His devotion to his patients was just a part of his character-a calming presence that was an advocate for those in need. He understood the smallest gesture made the biggest impact.

Born in Marietta, Georgia he grew up in Freeport, Texas where he attended Brazosport High excelling in both academics and sports. He graduated from high school with college credits, which during the early 70’s was not common. But Dick wasn’t a common person. He was selected to attend a weeklong session in Austin for high school students where he “ran” for Senate, but won the office of “Attorney”. His senior year at Brazosport he was one of 350 students selected nationwide to participate in a program based on a memo by President John F. Kennedy, and implemented in the late 60’s, The Presidential Classroom For Young Americans in Washington, D.C. The program gave high school students the opportunity to meet with those in government to understand civics and the importance of democracy.

In high school he excelled in track, baseball, football, and was All District playing defensive lineman often in the position as nose guard.

He attended Texas A & M University (Whoop!), serving in the Corps of Cadets Squadron 12, Air Force, and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Zoology.

Dick attended medical school at University Of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston where he was a member of the Mu Delta Honor Society. He completed his internal medicine residency at St Paul Hospital, Dallas. Moving to northern California he completed his Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship at the VA Medical Center, Martinez, California. He loved California and settled in Chico, just north of the San Francisco area where he opened a private practice in Pulmonary/Critical Care and the areas first Sleep Disorder Clinic modeled from the Stanford University program. While in Chico, he served as Chairman, Department of Medicine, Infection Control, and Respiratory Medicine for both Enloe Hospital and Chico Community Hospital which included managing their Burn Unit patients.

Returning to Texas in the early 90’s he founded Pulmonary and Allergy Associates (later to become Texas Regional Asthma and Allergy Center a.k.a. TRAAC) in the Grapevine/Southlake/Keller area. He served as former Medical Director of Respiratory Services, former Medical Director Critical Care Services Baylor Medical Center Grapevine. He briefly served as an attending working with residents at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth.

To say he understood the value of hard work and economy was an understatement. During his time at Texas A & M he excelled in economics, and was invited by a professor to pursue that as his major. He chose to stay with medicine. He often shared stories of summer jobs, which include a hospital orderly, helping his dad at his veterinary clinic, and working the Mag (magnesium) cells at Dow Chemical near Freeport.

Dick loved spending time with family, especially his 4 sons and 3 grandsons. They are proof that his dry wit and humor are genetic.

You could find them out fishing, riding 4 wheelers, driving his beloved John Deere Tractor, tending to his bees and grapevines, watching movies, football, or their- favorite endless yard work. Our sons were lovingly referred to as “the farm hands” helping him with his projects. There wasn’t a hole that couldn’t be dug and filled with something that would thrive under his care. He took pride in his gardens, often implementing ideas from travels to other countries. He had more than a green thumb, rescuing plants from the “almost dead, but not quite yet” rack at Lowes or Home Depot. He was well known by the staff at several local garden centers, which would often set things aside for his weekend trips to adopt a plant from doom.

We all shared a love for music. In college, Dick learned to play guitar and one summer worked as a bouncer in a disco club. He enjoyed discovering new types of music; obscure bands (Steve N’ Seagulls) and our sons were often sharing new groups with him, attending local concert venues together.

He was very athletic jogging and playing tennis until his knee reminded him who’s the boss. Biking, golfing, and hiking up until his diagnosis he was always outside regardless of the weather. There was very little that could slow him down from enjoying life.

The last few years he enjoyed traveling to all the places you wish you could visit. Always up for an adventure and a beer or single malt whiskey, he loved learning about other people, their cultures and that ultimately we all share the same concerns. The only thing that really divides us is a border.

Dick is survived by his wife of 35 years Helen, sons Chris (Kelsy) of Argyle, TX, Jeff (Inês) Providence, RI, Jon (Hanna) London, UK, and Richard Keller, TX. Brother Terry Pleasanton, Cal., sisters Cathy Breen (Patrick) Georgetown, TX., and Carol Stanford (Greg) Brazoria, TX. 3 grandsons and numerous nieces and nephews.

His parents Bill and Billie Mayse precede him in death.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Monday September 16 at the Bowden 1775 Keller Pkwy, Keller, TX. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Global Coalition For Adaptive Research by following the link below.

If you wish to send floral condolences in honor of Richard, you may call Lillium Florals 817-589-1566.