Henry McCardell Troth Jr.
Henry McCardell Troth, Jr. died on September 12, 2024, in Houston, Texas, at 86. Born on March 1, 1938, in Zachary, Louisiana, he was a respected and skilled chemical and control systems engineer whose career spanned several prestigious companies, including DuPont, ARAMCO, Rohm & Haas, S & B Engineering, and Jacobs Engineering.
Henry was a lifelong learner, completing his undergraduate and master's degrees in Chemical Engineering at Louisiana State University and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Vanderbilt University. His passion for learning was only matched by his enthusiasm for his hobbies. He became a private pilot in the late 1970s, and one of his proudest accomplishments was earning his instrument control rating. One of his least proud moments was landing with no landing gear.
Henry was an avid photographer who loved going to rodeos, especially capturing photos of the rodeo bullfighters and events at the Houston Rodeo. He attended the Houston Rodeo every night for over twenty consecutive years, always leaving his front-row seats before the musical entertainment came on stage. He loved editing his photos and turning his pictures from the rodeo into an annual calendar that he shared with friends and family. He was an avid collector of cameras, unusual books by Larry McMurtry and Anne Rice, model trains, tools, and more. He never threw anything with "utility" away.
Henry enjoyed learning about other cultures and had varied interests. He had the opportunity to travel to Japan, Russia, and many European countries and lived in Saudi Arabia. He and his wife, Gloria, enjoyed cruises, traveling to rodeos across North America, and attending the Houston Opera and Symphony.
His daughters will hold a graveside service on Monday, September 23 at 2:00 p.m. at St. John the Divine Church in Houston, where he will be interred next to his wife. A memorial service will be held in November in his hometown of Zachary, Louisiana, where friends, family, and colleagues can honor his memory and celebrate his life.
Henry is survived by his daughters Mayann Stroup (Kevin) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jennifer Owens (Jim) of St. Louis, Missouri, and Sharon Gaffney (Ed) of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania; his sister Judy Troth; two brothers: John Troth, Sr. (Harriet) and Robert Troth II (Sheila) all of Zachary, Louisiana; eight grandchildren: Katy Owens, Megan Owens, James Owens (Maddie), Ashleigh Owens, Lauren Owens, Alex Owens, Mac Gaffney, and Cece Gaffney as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Wallis Berendzen; sister, Margaret Anne Hattaway; and parents, Henry Troth Sr. and Annie East Troth.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Educational Fund.