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Coffee with Dick Rathgeber 1
“Whatcha doing, Dick, holding court?”
Granted, Austin businessman and philanthropist Dick Rathgeber held his audience of one in thrall, but no, he was not speaking in monarchical mode at the Exposition Road Starbucks, as a passerby suggested.
Instead, the round-faced man with the perpetually round eyes was putting finer points on observations from his semi-autobiographical, semi-inspirational book, “Deal-Making for Good: Smart Giving = Significant Living.”
“Your deal is always made from the other side of the table,” Rathgeber says. “You ask: ‘What do they want from this deal?’ Then you find out, ‘How can I let them have my way?’” Rathgeber has been doing that for decades.
As many who follow the Austin business community know, Rathgeber built up a demolition company, because, according to his practiced line, “I met a guy in the wrecking business who couldn’t read or write, and he was making money hand over fist. I thought: How hard could it be?”
Later, college-educated Rathgeber moved from destruction to construction, developing neighborhoods all over Austin, including parts of Lost Creek and Avery Ranch. He did so by scrutinizing development ordinances, tax laws and regional plans. Also, a good deal about human psychology.
For instance, he helped the Avery family part with their land by ensuring their name would be enshrined on road signs and neighborhoods, securing its place in popular history.
More to come…
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By Julia Burch
January 27, 2009 10:47 AM | Link to this
Dick Rathgeber is a man who truly walks the walk. He is donating the royalties from the sale of his book "Deal-Making for Good" to the Austin Children's Shelter. There are links to purchase the book online at www.dickrathgeber.com or www.austinchildrenshelter.org.