Richard Kusler

Richard Kusler, age 89, of Leroy, joined his loving wife in heaven on July 14, 2026. He passed away in his home surrounded by his family in Leroy, Texas. 

Funeral Service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 25, 2026 at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Cyndi Abbe officiating. The family will receive visitors from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. the day of the service at the funeral home. A private burial will follow at a later date at Gerald Cemetery.

Born on September 26, 1936, in Atlanta, to Otto and Genevieve (Page) Kusler, Richard grew up working on his family’s three dairy farms. This inspired his lifelong devotion to milk, drinking half a gallon of milk a day for his entire life. He would tell many stories of his days on the farm and all the adventures he had. 

Richard graduated as the highest ranking boy in his class from University High School in Waco in 1955, after which he went on to attend both Baylor University and Texas A&M. He was a devoted Texas A&M fan and proudly followed the university’s sports teams throughout the years. Richard was frequently lauded as the smartest man many people knew. He was a fierce domino opponent, a rodeo and western lover, an engineer of all things - building and welding anything he may need - and a lifelong Aggie. 

On November 13, 1982, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Barbara Silaff, in Gerald. They were inseparable and their marriage was one of deep love, devotion, and companionship. They had over 40 blissful years together where they made countless cherished memories together including traveling on Richard’s business trips, going to Longhorn Steakhouse weekly, and doting on and supporting their beloved 13 grandkids. Richard and Barbara were members of The Leroy Church. Barbara preceded him in death on July 3, 2023, a loss Richard carried deeply. 

He was an enterprising man, and worked for Miles P. Locke Consulting Engineers, the Texas Highway Department as a staff appraiser, and the Brazos River Authority for 27 years, managing all of their real estate and right of way matters and all operational aspects of Lakes Granbury and Limestone. He completed several courses from McLennan Community College and earned certificates in real estate law and real estate sales license, serving as a Texas Real Estate Broker since 1972. He also served on the Leroy-Tours-Gerald Water Board for 48 years, some of which he was president. Through hard work and dedication, he earned the respect of those who knew and worked alongside him before retiring in 2002. 

Richard will best be remembered by the precision in which he did everything, his work ethic, the endless love he had for his family, and his devotion to his wife Barbara. He loved to travel, going to San Antonio with four of his children just this past Spring. His guidance will be sorely missed, but we rejoice that he is reunited with his soulmate. His memory will be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Richard is survived by his five children, 13 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren: Wade Kusler and wife, Jan of Malakoff; Kerry (Kusler) Chapman of Robinson; Michael Kusler and wife, Angela of Richmond, Don Kusler and wife Mary of Arlington, Va., and Keith Kusler of Robinson; his greatly loved grandchildren, Dean Kusler and partner Jaye, Valerie (Kusler) Martin and husband, Chris, Ashley Starr, Chase Chapman and wife, Kelleigh, Chesley (Chapman) Schulman and husband, Alex, Dr. Court Kusler and partner Josie, Kale (Kusler) Hamrick and husband Spencer, Cody Kusler, Kaden Kusler, Will Kusler, Sam Kusler, Piper Kusler, and Mason Kusler; great-grandchildren, John-Luke, Cash, Raven, and Kennedy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Arc of McLennan County.