Dick Sharples, a well-known and much-respected member of the natural gas community, died suddenly of cancer early Thursday. Sharples, an executive with Anadarko Petroleum for many years, retired from that company last year and took over as executive director of the new Center for Liquefied Natural Gas (CLNG).

“It is with deep sadness that CLNG mourns the passing of Executive Director Dick Sharples. Throughout his entire 30-year career, Dick was an insightful and dynamic leader on behalf of the entire natural gas industry. We extend our sincere condolences to Dick’s family during this difficult time and hope they will find solace in knowing just how many lives Dick touched. He will truly be missed,” Mark Sikkel, chairman of the CLNG management committee said in a statement.

“We were shocked and saddened to hear of Dick’s passing,” a spokesperson for Anadarko Petroleum said. “He was with Anadarko for a long time, and was a very active and outspoken advocate of the natural gas business. This was very sudden. Our thoughts are with his wife and children.” Sharples was diagnosed just very recently with throat cancer.

Sharples’ career included jobs with Maxus Energy Corp. and its predecessor, Diamond Shamrock Corp. and at Texas Crude Exploration and Conoco. He was a senior vice president with Anadarko when he retired.

The viewing will be held April 10 from 3-7 p.m. CST at the Forest Park East Funeral Home in Webster, TX. Sharples’ funeral will take place at 12:30 p.m. CST on April 11 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Nassau Bay, TX.

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