Richard Hayes Bittman

October 19, 1928 – December 5, 2020

Richard Hayes Bittman, 92, of Amarillo, TX, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 5, 2020.

Richard was born on October 19, 1928, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to John Carl and Inabel (Skinner) Bittman. Richard graduated from Perry High School in 1946. He went on to attend The University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950. Richard was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army of the United States and was appointed as a Reserve Commissioned Officer, grade of Captain in 1957.

Richard married Agnes G. Leachman in Stillwater, Oklahoma on April 4, 1954. He was the proud father of two daughters, Claudia and Claire.

Richard was the owner of Bittman’s Appliance in Amarillo, TX, Vice-President of the Appliance Division of Roberd’s store in Atlanta, GA, owner of Richard’s Appliance in Chattanooga, TN, and owner of Bittman’s in Amarillo, which closed in 1996.

Richard was named Boss of the Year by the Amarillo Chapter of American Business Women’s Association in 1977. He served as the Republican Party Chairman and Delegate for Amarillo, president of the Amarillo Country Club, chairman of the Salvation Army Board, and was a member of Advisory Boards for the Amarillo Fire Department and WTSU Industrial Education Department. He was a proud member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Richard also served as a deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Odessa, Texas, and at Brainerd Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, TN. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Amarillo.

Survivors include his wife, Agnes, of 66 years; his two daughters, Claudia Shelton and husband Malcolm, and Claire Davis and husband Matthew, all of Amarillo, TX; four grandchildren: Luke Shelton and his wife Stephanie, and Kirk Shelton, of Fort Worth, TX, Liza Rowlan and her husband Andrew, of Amarillo, TX, and Jackson Davis, of Amarillo, TX; five great-grandchildren: Walker and Stella Shelton, of Fort Worth, TX, and Hunter, Hayes, and Heath Rowlan, of Amarillo, TX; his brother, Larry Bittman, of Ponca City, OK; sister-in-law, Claudette Landess, of Amarillo, TX; nephews: Craig Landess, of Dallas, TX, and Chris Beakey of Lewes, DE; nieces, Amy Juba, of Amarillo, TX, Lisa Ruggere, of Raleigh, NC, Chelsea Fretwell, of Surrey, Great Britain, and Lee Ann Ridoux, of Carmel, IN; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

There will be a private family graveside service to honor Richard and his life at a later date.

The family suggests memorials be made to The University of Oklahoma Foundation, Ussery -Roan Texas State Veterans Home, Amarillo, TX or Westminster Presbyterian Church, Amarillo, TX.