Donald Oelrich

Donald F. Oelrich, 77, of Austin, passed away late Thursday evening, April 4, 2024, at The Isle at Cedar Ridge in Cedar Park.

Memorial Graveside Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 17, 2024 at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Ed Karasek officiating. Military Rites will be held, conducted by the West Veterans Honor Guard.

Don was born August 15, 1946 in Burbank, California, the son of George and Jean Anne (McCarty) Oelrich. He was a 1964 graduate of Granada Hills High School in California. He attended Pierce College in Woodland Hills, CA; received his BS in Engineering Physics from the University of Colorado at Boulder; and received his Masters of Business Administration from St. Edward's University in Austin.

Don proudly served his country as an Ensign in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, training on the thresher class nuclear submarine USS Haddo serving as nuclear engineer and technician. He last served on the Destroyer Escort USS Gray as the damage control assistant and electrical officer. His military career would take him from Maryland to Colorado and back to his home state of California before leaving San Diego to settle with his family in Austin in 1973 to start a career.

Don began his professional career as the Lead Facilities Engineer for Texas Instruments during the early tech boom in the 1970s in Austin. He would later leave T.I. to co-found Innovation Incorporated and later Proline Plastics with his father, eventually becoming one of the largest manufacturers of concrete form products in the country. As President and Lead Engineer, Don was responsible for designing and building the complex systems and innovative machinery that were the underpinnings of his successful corporation.

During this time, he participated in competitive slalom water skiing, dancing, telling jokes and spending time on the lake with his family. Don was also a skilled craftsman in wood working and a talented machinist, that was constantly tinkering.

In the summer of 1984, he was united in marriage to Helen Holacka, who would become his devoted angel for the challenges that lie ahead.

In the spring of 1985, his prolific career as an engineer and entrepreneur were cut short as the result of a massive head injury. The physical and mental effects of which he battled for 39 years until his passing. Along that journey, he inspired countless others severely injured and less fortunate through his eternal optimism, inspirational poetry, and his relentless pursuit to make those around him smile.

Don was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Austin. He was also a member of the Austin Czech Historical Association, Toastmasters International, and the Knights of Columbus Council #5967 in Austin. Don enjoyed polka dancing, woodworking, desserts of all varieties, hot coffee (whenever he could get it), telling jokes, writing, and sharing his uplifting poetry and philosophies with everyone he encountered.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, his uncle Lee Oelrich, and parents-in-law, Dorothy and Eugene Holacka.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 40 years, Helen Oelrich of Austin; his children, Michelle DiFabio of Monroeton, PA, and Craig Oelrich and wife Amanda of Austin; his grandchildren, Max and Millie Oelrich; two sisters, Jorja Puma and husband Robb, and Sandra Ritchie and husband Rich; nephews Paul and Anthony Puma and families; his Aunt Pat and “buddy cousins” in California; and other relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank the numerous caregivers and staff at Brookdale, Juniper Village and The Isle for their thoughtful care, patience, understanding and special personal connections that came out of those interactions.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Cemetery Association or to the TBI Warrior Foundation, PO Box 2365, Boerne, TX 78006

You are invited to share your thoughts and memories of Don in our memorial guest book found at www.aderholdfuneralhome.