Richard Pablo Miranda

Richard was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico in January 1947 to Daisy Lopez Borsch of New York and Richard Miranda Morales of Manatí, Puerto Rico. He was the middle child to four sisters: Emma, Marga, Diana, and Anita. Richard grew up and attended school in the San Juan area except for one year of study in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which he’d just as soon forget (he broke his leg and he hated the cold). He returned to Puerto Rico and graduated from Academia del Perpetuo Socorro High School in 1964.

Richard spent one year at the University of Puerto Rico studying business administration, but got restless, and wanting to make a difference in the world; he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1965. Stops included Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas for basic training and then Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois (about 120 miles south of Chicago, Illinois) for tech school. He eventually earned his instructor wings and for three years taught Aircraft Support Equipment Maintenance in the 3349th Instructor Training School at Chanute, where he discovered his trademark gift for teaching and public speaking. Richard reached the rank of E-4 Sergeant and was honorably discharged in January of 1969.

After returning to Puerto Rico in 1970, Richard sought out a job to pay off his bills (including one for his new car, a blue mid 60’s MG MGB purchased in Illinois), initially seeking to become a history professor, but ultimately joining the sales division of the Puerto Rico Telephone Company. That same year, a friend tipped him off about a house party in Ponce hosted by “a pretty girl” from Pan Am named Doris Rodriguez. He fell for this adventurous and spirited woman and quickly asked for her hand in marriage. They wed in 1971. For several years, they traveled as part of Doris’ Pan Am benefits -- Italy, Portugal, Ecuador, New York -- enjoying the freedom of travel and learning about other cultures.

In January 1974, a son came into the world: Ricardo Alejandro. A second son, Rubén Eduardo, followed in October 1975. With the family complete, Richard and Doris debated their future and after much discussion, they made the extremely difficult decision to leave their extended family behind and look for work elsewhere in the “upper 48” -- first in Little Rock, Arkansas, then eventually settling in Houston, Texas in 1978. The family loved their new adopted hometown and all the new things to see and do, but their favorite activity was to catch an Astros game in the 8th Wonder of the World, The Astrodome. Richard and Doris joined Prince of Peace Catholic Community in 1988 and were active in Marriage Encounter and the Youth Ministry from the outset. In 2003, Richard welcomed his first grandchild: Robert Edward. Two more followed: Ava Victoria in 2010 and Christian Alejandro in 2013.

Richard worked in the ever-changing telecom industry for the better part of 20+ years; it was good work, nice benefits, and great pay. Soon, however, change proved insurmountable, and in 2002 his employer abruptly dissolved its telecom division, leaving Richard without a job. Prospects were dim, and as he plotted his next career move, a close friend told him about a test to become a real estate agent. That conversation planted a bug in his ear, and with no hesitation he spent the next few months studying for his real estate broker license. He got it, and soon joined up with Keller Williams Realty, where over time he honed his lead generation and lead conversion techniques to become a top producer in his brokerage. When the opportunity arose for Richard to begin teaching real estate courses, he lept at it -- teaching was his passion and in his DNA and he cherished the opportunity to meet new students and get to know their stories. His leadership journey took him to the Houston Association of Realtors, where he was elected to the board as a Director and eventually served on its Executive Committee, becoming Chairman in 2021. Richard knew innately the importance of servant leadership and was eternally grateful to the HAR membership for every opportunity he was afforded.

Sadly, in 2017 Richard was diagnosed with prostate cancer -- a disease he shared only with family at first, but then opened up to his closest colleagues about his illness. He continued to live his life, travel, network, teach, and build relationships until the very end. We will miss you “Papa Richard.”

Richard is survived by his son Ricardo Miranda and daughter-in-law, Lisa Miranda, of Allen, TX; son Ruben Miranda of Austin, TX; and grandchildren Robert Miranda of Austin, TX, Ava Miranda of Allen, TX, and Christian Miranda of Allen, TX; sisters Emma Miranda-Perez of Tampa, FL, Margarita Miranda of San Juan, PR, Diana Miranda-Bennett of San Juan, PR, and Anita Miranda-Clench of Houston, TX. He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years Doris, his mother Daisy, and his father Richard.

A visitation for Richard will be held Thursday, August 24, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at American Heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. A funeral service will occur Friday, August 25, 2023 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 19222 TX-249, Houston, TX 77070.