Obituary of Richard Edward Giusti

Richard Edward Giusti, 66, of Friendswood, Texas, died on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, following a prolonged illness.  He was born on July 15, 1958, to Millie Kesel Giusti and Benedict Paul Giusti in Galveston, Texas.  Rick attended college at Rice University and the University of Houston, where he received a BS degree in Electrical Engineering.  He worked for 34 years (1983-2017) as an engineer and programmer contracted to NASA, where he met Kathleen Poe, whom he married in 2004.  He worked at Johnson Space Center's Building 5 flight training facility where he created and refined the computer models used to train astronauts and flight controllers for the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station programs. Rick’s career was marked by admiration and respect from his coworkers and recognition for excellence by the astronauts, as he was awarded the Silver Snoopy Award for outstanding achievement related to flight success.     

Rick had 36 nieces and nephews.  He was a fun uncle, who tossed them in the air when they were small and became a friend and role model as they grew older.

Reading was a passion for Rick, and he loved science fiction, fantasy and medieval history. He was an ardent fan of the Renaissance Festival, and he attended the local RenFest multiple times each year dressed in his best armor, which included chain mail he crafted himself.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Millie Kesel Giusti and Benedict Paul Giusti, his in-laws, Marian Ruth Poe and John William Poe, and his brother, Benedict Paul Giusti, Jr.  He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Poe Giusti, his sisters Sandra Atkinson (Denis), Beverly Rose, Barbara Doran (Chuck), Paulette Maddox (Bobby), Marilyn Cernosek (Tony), Cathy Perry (Jerry), Gigi Rose (Gary), Debbie Morgan, Janet Elledge (Paul) and Carolyn Bernard (Karl); brothers-in-law John Poe, Jr., and David Poe (Peggy); sister-in-law Barbara Poe Graves (Neil); many cherished friends; and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Monday, September 9, 2024, at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 Broadway St., Pearland, Texas 77581.  A visiting hour will begin at 2 PM, followed by a recitation of the Rosary and funeral service at 3 PM. 

Burial will take place on September 13, 2024, at Hill Church cemetery in Dubois, Indiana, following afternoon services at Becher-Kluesner Funeral Home, 3221 North Newton Street, Jasper, Indiana 47546.   Visitation hour will begin at 2 PM, and Rosary and funeral service begin at 3 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hill Church Cemetery Fund, 805 Hochgesang Ave., Jasper, Indiana 47546.