One of the most beloved agricultural leaders in Henderson County died Sunday at his home.
Patrick James Hirsch, fondly known by many as Rick, was the longtime Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Agent for Henderson County. He weekly wrote the Agrilife column that appeared in the Athens Daily Review and other media outlets across the county.
Hirsch, 51, touched many through his desire to give back to his fellow man. He was a staple at the Henderson County Livestock Show, helping not only his family excel at the annual event, but also countless numbers of youth from across the area. When not tending to livestock or writing the next agricultural column, he could be found cheering on the Athens Hornets in a variety of sporting events. He was a regular on the weekly sports radio shows produced by KCKL during football season. He received the Texas Farm Bureau’s Excellence in Journalism Award in 2003. He is a level IV Agent which is the highest level a county agent can achieve. He was named the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Association’s 2012 County Agent of the Year. He received his bachelors in Agricultural Education from Texas A&M in 1987 and his masters from Tarleton State in 1991.
Hirsch is survived by his wife Brontë, a teacher in the Athens Independent School District, and their three children. Jeff Jones, an agricultural teacher at Athens ISD, has created a GoFundMe account for Hirsch’s family with a goal of $25,000. The account can be found at https://home/sullivanplus/html.gofundme.com/2a3vtd75.
Jones wrote, “We are saddened once again by the passing of one of Athens FFA great supporters. Mr. Rick Hirsch was a great friend and an outstanding person. Rick was an iconic figure in Henderson County, a truly good man and someone who helped thousands and thousands of people in our community and across the state of Texas.”