Richard Kirch O'Neil

After 92 years of a life filled with family, laughter, adventure, and love, Richard Kirch O’Neil passed away on August 8, 2026, in Tulsa, OK, surrounded by his loving family.

Dick, as he was known by those who loved him, was a natural leader who always had a warm smile and a joke to share.

Dick was born July 28, 1934, in Omaha, NE, to parents John and Cleona O’Neil. The family moved to Denver, where Dick grew up. He excelled academically, athletically, and socially, leading him to study at the Colorado School of Mines, where he graduated in 1956 with a Petroleum Engineering degree. Dick was a proud member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, where he held several leadership roles and made lifelong friendships with his "brothers."

It was during his time at Mines that he met and fell in love with Barbara Abbott. The two married in 1954, and the next year welcomed their daughter Peggy. Over the next four years came son Patrick and daughter Kelly. The family of five moved throughout Wyoming in those early years, where they welcomed son Michael.

Dick enjoyed a long career in oil and gas, eventually retiring from Central Lift after traveling extensively through South America, Asia, Russia, and Siberia. He published several papers during his career that remain relevant today.

Always an athlete, Dick spent years sailing in races, running marathons, and, during his early college years, was an incredible wrestler.

Dick and his wife, Barbara, enjoyed traveling abroad—particularly in Europe, where they developed a love for "wine time" and spent hours exploring world-class art museums.

A longtime supporter of the arts, Dick served as a docent and eventually president of the Docent Society at the Philbrook Museum of Art. He later served with the Tulsa Ballet Society.

A lifelong Christian, Dick was a steady presence in church choirs wherever the family moved. His beautiful tenor voice was a blessing as a member at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church for years, where he sang in Messiah holiday performances year after year. For the last 15 years, the couple has been members of Harvard Avenue Christian Church, where Dick participated in several groups and sang in the choir.

Dick was a most-loved Papa to four grandchildren: Erin, Molly, Maddie, and John. He was also the treat-giving, dog-walking pup-dad to five dogs who preceded him (Beaver, Pepper, Dara, Buffy, and Casey).

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, John and Cleona O’Neil, along with several dear friends and family members. He leaves behind his wife, Barbara O’Neil of Tulsa; children Peggy O’Neil of Tulsa, Patrick O’Neil of Tulsa, Kelly O’Neil-Brown of Tulsa, and Michael O’Neil and his wife, Julie, of Fort Worth; and grandchildren Erin Harper of Tulsa, Molly O’Neil of Fort Worth, Maddie Brown of Paris, France, and John O’Neil of Austin.

Dick will be laid to rest on September 8th following a service for family and close friends at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa.

Dick O’Neil will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, Papa, and friend. He truly lived life to the max and was always ready for the next adventure. We will love and miss him forever.