Richard (“Rickey”) Witte Alexander passed away on Nov. 26, 2023, at the age of 70. He is survived by: his wife of 49 years, Judy; his four children, Meghan (wife Amanda Slaten), Lauren (wife Christie Ciotola), Taylor (husband Leif Raley), and Carson (wife Erin Frisbie); and four grandchildren, Jack and Theodor Raley (Taylor) and Lincoln and Ripley Alexander (Meghan). He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ronnie.
Rickey, son of Theodor (“Ted”) and Beatrice (“Bea”) Alexander, was born in Lubbock, Texas, on Dec. 23, 1952. Ted and Bea were both professors at Texas Tech University. Ted, an immigrant from Vienna, taught Rickey to express gratitude for his opportunities by living a life of service committed to equity, justice, and grace.
Rickey attended Lubbock High School and developed an early passion for civic engagement. While still a teen himself, Rickey organized a campaign to safeguard youth offenders through the establishment of the first juvenile detention center in Lubbock County. Rickey also later served on the White House Council on Youth and as a determined advocate for the United Cerebral Palsy Association.
Rickey’s passion for advocacy led him to earn a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas Tech University. “The man with a plan,” according to campaign posters, Rickey was elected student body president. While serving on a leadership retreat planning committee, he met Judy. Rickey finished college in three years, after which he and Judy moved to Austin together. Rickey would go on to earn a law degree from The University of Texas School of Law, where he served as an editor for the Texas Law Review.
An accomplished board-certified trial lawyer, Rickey practiced law for nearly 40 years, specializing in civil litigation and representing a wide range of clients from large corporations to cattle ranchers. While there is no doubting his brilliant legal mind, work ethic, and attention to detail, one of his lasting legacies was his willingness to hire and mentor young female attorneys in a male-dominated profession. Young attorneys knew they could call Rickey for advice at any time, and he would drop everything to help them. He mentored many brilliant attorneys, helping them cut their teeth as litigators. Generous with his time, Rickey never passed up an opportunity to discuss an idea or strategy. He was overjoyed to share his love and admiration of the law with his daughter Meghan as partners at the Alexander Law Firm.
Later in life, Rickey found a new passion - grandchildren. He doted on his four grandchildren, Jack, Lincoln, Theodor, and Ripley, and he loved spending time with them, entertaining their hearts’ desires.
Rickey was kind, humble, and relentlessly optimistic. He was a tender and supportive father, encouraging his four children to work hard and pursue their passions. Rickey lived his life in service to others. He helped many people and ended most conversations asking how he could support you.
Rickey’s life reminds us to follow in the steps of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.
A memorial service will be held on Jan. 6, 2024, at 3 p.m. at University United Methodist Church, 2409 Guadalupe, Austin, TX 78705. A reception will follow the service.
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