Vandel

Sheriff Rick Vandel, 87, of Fayetteville passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, Feb. 23, 2022.

Rick was born in Alliance, Neb., on Sept. 12, 1934, the son of Paul and Burdean (Bowen) Vandel. The first-born son of a railroad worker and home maker, he grew up in the north between South Dakota and Nebraska.

He used to say, he may not have been born here, but he got here as fast as he could. At only 16 years old, the day after he graduated from Minatare High School in 1950, he made his way to Houston to join his uncle in his construction business.

Shortly after that, while he was managing a Chuck Wagon Restaurant, some of his regulars were patrol officers for the Houston Police Department. As an offering of gratitude, he would give them a free meal. He enjoyed hearing of their adventures so much that his long-standing career in law enforcement would begin when he entered the HPD police academy Class #14 in 1956. He also received further advanced training, earning his degree in Law Enforcement.

Rick proudly served the citizens of Houston as an HPD Patrol Officer from 1956 to 1960. And in 1960 was offered the opportunity to join the elite Motorcycle Division. This is where he stayed until his retirement in 1980, after serving a combined 24 years of dedicated service with the Houston Police Department.

Rick was a devoted husband and father and was blessed with three children. In his first marriage to Zorah Whittlesey, they had Richard Jr. and Debbie. Then later he married Kathrine Kindall and together they had Michelle.

After 20 years on motorcycles, Rick decided to hang up his helmet and retire from HPD. He wanted to move on to the next chapter of becoming a farmer, trading in his motorcycle for a tractor. In 1980, Rick along with his wife Kathy and daughter Michelle, moved to Flatonia. The aspirations of being a retired police officer only lasted a few years as he was eager to serve his new community the best way he knew how.

He returned to law enforcement when he was appointed Constable of Pct. 3 in Fayette County in 1984. He proudly served in this position until 1993 when he was elected to become the Sheriff of Fayette County.

During his twelve years as Sheriff, Rick organized various community programs such as the Reserve Deputy Sheriff Program, Deputy Santa Program, and the Are You Ok? Program.

Rick will be remembered as a true servant to his community, serving also in the capacity of Director of the Fayette Co. EMS, as Director for the Fayette County Farm Bureau, a member of the Board of Directors for MHMR-Fayette County, along with his assistance in organizing the Fayette County Sheriff’s Posse and Fayette Co. Crime Stoppers. He was a proud member of the Flatonia Masonic Lodge #436 and achieved the title of Master Mason. Rick was also a faithful member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of Fayetteville.

Throughout his combined 45 years of law enforcement, he shared that one of his fondest memories was being part of the motorcade for President John F. Kennedy, and that the president requested to personally thank each motorcycle officer. Rick had the honor of shaking the hand of the president the day before he was assassinated in Dallas. But he would let everyone know that the best part of his law enforcement career was serving the good people of Fayette County.

He married, Sara Fritsch in a beautiful ceremony held on Aug. 30, 2002 in La Grange. Sara and Rick were blessed to have shared nineteen years of marriage together. In their free time, they enjoyed going on cruises and traveling together. Rick treasured the time spent with his beloved family and extended family members.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sara Fritsch Vandel; one son, Richard Vandel, Jr. of Houston; two daughters: Debbie Higginbotham of Inverness, Fla.; and Michelle Butler and husband, Noel of Brookshire; one step-son, Nick Kasmiersky of Fayetteville; three stepdaughters: Heather Jurecka of Fayetteville; Natasha Muske and husband, Dusten of Ellinger; and Mary Kasmiersky of Bryan; two brothers: Bill Vandel of Custer, S.D.; and Jimmy Vandel of Sioux Falls, S.D.; three brothers-in-law: Sammy (Susan) Fritsch of La-Grange; Scott (Sharon) Fritsch and Ted (Wanda) Fritsch of Fayetteville; four sisters-in-law: Kay Fritsch, Yvonne Smith, and Pam (John) Reynolds of Fayetteville; Liz Fritsch of Sealy; three grandsons: Richard Lassiter, Espen and Micah Butler; ten step-grandchildren: Savannah Kasmiersky, Emma, Kara and Tanner Jurecka; Bayley and Kaysie Ward and Hayden Kasmiersky; Jace, Charlie, and Maisie Muske.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents: Paul and Burdean Vandel; and one grandson, Robert Lassiter, Jr.; his wife, Katherine Vandel; and siblings: Sue Zeimet and husband, Jim; Marilu Kirk; and Eddie Vandel; and brother-in-law Tommy Fritsch of Fayetteville.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 4, 2022 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations. The family will be present to receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. A Holy Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Fayetteville, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Burial will follow at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery.

Honored to serve as active pallbearers will be: Noel Butler, Nick Kasmiersky, Dusten Muske, Richard Lassiter, Espen Butler, Micah Butler, Kenny Schmidt, and Dan Mueller. Honorary Pallbearers with be the deputies of Fayette County Sheriff’s Department who worked alongside Rick during his tenure with the department.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Hospice Brazos Valley, or to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations in La Grange.