Richard Lowe

Richard Irwin Lowe, 84, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away after a six-month battle with cancer on Saturday, May 30, 2026, in Houston, Texas. Richard was born February 4, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, to parents Solomon (z”l) and Bertha (z”l) Lowe. Richard married the love of his life, Ellen Ronnie Hoffinger, in December 1963, shortly after meeting on a blind date. Richard worked for Pfizer in their accounting department, and after he and Ellen were married, began working in sales for the family pool manufacturing business. They moved to Houston in November 1980 and together opened Martel’s Pool Supply and raised two children, Martin Lowe and Elise Newman. During their early years in Houston, Richard was actively involved with the Houston Westbury Lions Club, Texas Eye Bank, and Texas Lions Camp in Kerrville. When Richard and Ellen bought a home in Sugar Land, their desire to join a strong Jewish community led them to become founding members of Congregation Beth El in Missouri City. Richard also supported many Jewish and pro-Israel organizations including Israel Bonds Houston, AIPAC, and Friends of the IDF, and was an active supporter of Chabad Lake Tahoe, where he and Ellen spent their summers. Richard was a man of great stature and few, though impactful, words. He was an avid sports fan from childhood, beginning with New York Dodgers double-headers at Ebbits Field. He was a NY Rangers fan throughout his life and followed the team closely. In Houston, he became a charter season ticket holder for both the Houston Aeros and Houston Texans. Richard enjoyed spending time with his Houston neighbors during daily “Yappy Hours” with his dog, Maxxie. Richard and Ellen travelled extensively, and Richard had an affinity for cruises. He completed the last of approximately 75 such cruises with family in February. He looked forward to Friday afternoon burger lunches with longtime friends and spending time with family. Richard was preceded in death by Ellen just prior to their 59th anniversary, his brother, Gary (Jim) Lowe, his father, Solomon Lowe, and mother, Bertha Lowe. He is survived by his children, Martin (Katrina) Lowe and Elise (Mark) Newman. “Pop Pop,” as he was known, was blessed with six grandchildren, Jessica (David) Browne, Jordan Lowe, Julia (Ryan) Steinberg, Elliot Newman, Miles Newman, and Aaron Newman. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 2:00 pm in The Sophia and Jack Bender Memorial Chapel at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, 7445 Awty School Ln., Houston, Texas 77055.The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed at: https://venue.streamspot.com/f8d04b5b The family requests donations to be made to Friends of the IDF (https://www.fidf.org/ways-to-give/) or Chabad Lake Tahoe (https://www.jewishtahoe.com/templates/donate_cdo/aid/4970020/jewish/Donate.htm).

Richard Lowe

February 4, 1942 - May 30, 2026