Dates
“In my Father’s house are many mansions” and on October 5, 2023, Richard Burton Round was welcomed into God’s most gracious one. Born on September 28, 1941, to Dr. Kye and Grace Round in San Angelo, Texas, Richard was of a generation that had a quest for knowledge, enjoyed refinement and elegance and was allured by beauty wherever it was found. Indeed, it was those very qualities that Richard ardently brought to San Angelo and shared with all who appreciated his keen vision.
Richard was educated at Santa Rita Elementary, Lee Jr. High, and San Angelo Central High School where he graduated in 1959. His childhood summers were spent with grandparents and cousins in Mississippi where he developed a love for the south that led him to Sewanee University in Tennessee. It was there he honed his knowledge of architecture and design. But, enjoying himself at the University of the South just a tad too much, Richard transferred to TCU where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. From there his curiosity for all things aesthetic became boundless. Enthralled by classical architecture, relics and artifacts, Richard returned to San Angelo and established “Burton Round Antiques.” This began his lifelong career in design where he sought to make the interiors of our world as beautiful as the exterior. In 1993, he partnered with Jane Gillis to form “Round and Gillis” and endeavored to enrich the lives of his clients with a pleasuring style.
Richard’s depth of knowledge stemmed from his voracious appetite for reading. He read practically every biography written on anyone famous – and infamous. His brilliant mind could recount from memory the most esoteric of genealogy roots of the European royal families and Hollywood’s most glamorous stars. Yet, it was the many scandals in those lives that Richard found so dishy and shared with hilarity over Scotch with his dear friends. He devoured books on design, and his hands-down favorite was the style of Louis XVI.
His projects extended from Texas to New Mexico, Colorado, and California. But, nothing thrilled him more than decorating one of the beautiful ranch homes of his dear friends. Valuing West Texas charm and artistic elegance, Richard brought a recognizable and deft hand to each project. He deeply admired the laborers and skilled trades who transformed his work, bringing it to life – from the carpenters to the upholsterers, the painters, the electricians, the plumbers, and the general contractors. He respected their unique talent and extreme professionalism.
San Angelo was Richard’s greatest pride. He gave freely of his time and intellect to numerous ventures including working with Howard Taylor and the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts and supporting local artists. He treasured the homes in San Angelo designed by the renowned architect, Leonard Mauldin, and loved helping restore many of them.
His favorite pastime was socializing and entertaining. While Richard had a ribald sense of humor and could certainly be a scoundrel at times, he was brilliant and utterly adored by his numerous friends. He would have done anything for anyone (and did). To say that he will be missed is an understatement. Richard was beloved.
A reception will be held in his honor at The River Terrace on Thursday, November 2, 2023, from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. All are welcome. Please send memorials to Friends of Fairmount, PO Box 3522, San Angelo, TX 76902, to The San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts of to the charity of your choice.