BALZEN, Richard Thomas (Tom), 74, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, in McKinney, Texas, surrounded by his family. Tom was born October 6, 1937, in San Antonio, to Richard and Martha Balzen. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and worked for many years as an engineer at Tracor, Inc. and later as a forensic consultant at Coltharp Engineering Associates, both in Austin. His many interests included railroading and computers and he was an active member of a number of related associations. He retired in 2007 and moved to McKinney to be near his children and grandchildren.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Dorothy (Baltzer) Balzen; two daughters and their husbands, Martha and Jimmy Chung and Sandra and Michael Czuwala; six grandchildren: Kiri, Lauren, and Rachel Chung, and Nathan, Daniel, and Sarah Czuwala; two brothers, Bill Balzen, Bob Balzen, and Bob’s wife Patsy; and much-loved nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Visitation: Friday, July 27, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway (US 75), Allen, Texas. Funeral service: Saturday, July 28, at 2 p.m. at the Chapel at Pecan Grove Cemetery, 1701 S. McDonald (Hwy 5), McKinney, Texas. Reception to follow.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.