David B. Kultgen

David B. Kultgen December 18, 1922May 19, 2013 David Burks Kultgen died peacefully in his home Sunday, May 19, 2013. He was 90 years old. A memorial service will be held at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey on Monday, May 27th at 1:30 pm with Monsignor Mark Deering officiating. Visitation with the family will be held 6 8 p.m., Sunday, May 26, at the law offices of Beard, Kultgen, Brophy, Bostwick, Dickson & Squires at 220 South Fourth Street. David was born in Dallas, Texas, the eldest of two brothers, on December 18, 1922, to Reba Mickelborough Kultgen and John Henry Jack Kultgen. He had fond memories of playing football with neighborhood friends before moving to Waco, Texas, where his father helped found Bird-Kultgen Ford. David took from his birthplace a lifelong passion for the Dallas Cowboys. He spent summers visiting his grandparents in Benton Harbor, Michigan, near Chicago, Illinois, where he learned to cheer for the Chicago Cubs. After graduating from Waco High School, David earned a business degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and became an avid fan of UT football. Following his undergraduate studies, he served as the supply officer on the destroyer USS Adams in the Navy in World War II in the Pacific Fleet. After the war, he returned to the University of Texas where he earned his law degree; his studies culminated in a Master of Laws from Harvard University. It was during his year at Harvard that he met Betsy Rice at a Temple-UT football game. The two later married in 1950 in her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Together they moved to Waco, Texas, where they raised their three children. They were married for 57 years until Betsy's death in 2007. David began his law practice in 1955 with the man who was to be his friend and business partner for the next 58 years, Pat Beard. Over the years, the two were greatly invested in Central Texas' business and banking industries. These two men's talents were complimentary, and a thriving, decades-long partnership served to benefit the families of both men, Central Texas, and beyond. David often donated his legal talents to those in need, refusing recognition or compensation. Preferring to remain anonymous the majority of the time, he impacted more lives than we will ever know. Helping others in need was most important to David, whether it was through pro bono law work or quiet philanthropy. Following in the footsteps of his father, David became involved in civic leadership in Waco and the State of Texas. He was integral to the development of many of the laws concerning water in this state. He served as the chief counsel for the Brazos River Authority, and took part in many major River Authority projects, including the development of Possum Kingdom Lake and Lake Granbury. David was an impressive advocate of the arts, education, and affordable healthcare in Waco, supporting such entities as the Waco Symphony, Paul Quinn College, and Providence Foundation. He particularly enjoyed serving as a Cooper Foundation trustee. In order to ensure that charitable donations from members of the local community remained in Central Texas, David help found the Greater Waco United Fund Foundation, which supports the United Way of Waco-McLennan County. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, taking them regularly to the opera in order to foster an appreciation for his favorite art form. He enjoyed watching sports, inserting a perfectly timed quip, and expanding his knowledge through reading. His family will always be grateful that he showed them the true meaning of humility, generosity, loyalty and love. They aspire to carry on this legacy. His grandchildren will never forget the example he set for them; David Kultgen chose to leave the world the way he lived his life, with dignity. He is survived by his brother, John Henry Jack Kultgen, Jr. and wife, Aline; his three children, John Edward Kultgen and wife, Donna, Peter Evans Kultgen and wife, Marjorie, and Elizabeth Burks Kultgen Nash and husband, Reuel; grandchildren, Kassandra Kultgen, Emily Hunter, Katherine Kultgen, Marcus Kultgen, Claire Kultgen, Eleanor Nash, Ann Nash, Rebecca Nash, Alexandria Kultgen, and Amy Hime and husband, Austin; and great-grandchildren, Jasmine Kultgen and Persia Staley. He leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews. He also valued the longtime friendship of former, daughters-in-law, Kathleen Horner, Pat Kultgen, Candace Mehaffey-Kultgen, and Malvina Hunter. His family wishes to thank longtime caregivers and friends, Mark and Jan Whitmer, Paul Daniels, and Mary Frances Hart. We are grateful, too, for the devoted service and kindness of Rosalie Matthews, David's legal secretary for over 43 years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to the Greater Waco United Fund Foundation, 4224 Cobbs Dr., Waco, TX 76710, or to the Providence Foundation, 6901 Medical Parkway, Waco, TX 76712. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey