LONG TIME BRENHAM BUSINESSMAN ED BOETTCHER PASSES AWAY

  

Edward Baldwin Boettcher, Jr.,a long-time Brenham businessman, passed away on Sunday at the age of  94 years old

Edward, the son of Bennora (Bybee) and Edward Boettcher, was born in Westfield, Texas, on November 17, 1921.  He was the oldest of their three children.   He was educated in Westfield, Huntsville High School, and Baylor University where he earned a BBA in 1943. Ed and Lucile Summar were married on October 3, 1942, at Gaston Avenue Baptist Church in Dallas.

As a member of America’s Greatest Generation, he proudly served in the U. S. Army during World War II.   He served in Africa and the European Theater of Operation, obtained the rank of Personnel Sergeant Major, and was awarded the Bronze Star.   Following his discharge in 1945, he and Lucile returned to Huntsville where he joined his father in the saw mill and wholesale/retail lumber yard business.

In 1946 they moved to Brenham to open a building material distribution center.  The Boettcher Building Center was in operation for 52 years.  During these years Ed was responsible for the development of numerous subdivisions and the building of many houses in Brenham, as well as other real estate ventures in Harris and Montgomery counties.

Ed and Lucile were devoted members of Brenham’s First Baptist Church since 1946.  Through the years he faithfully served as deacon, Brotherhood leader, Sunday School and Training Union teacher, choir member, and member of many committees including eight different building projects.  His passion was evangelism.

Deeply involved in community activities, Ed served as president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce in 1953. Through the work of the chamber, the Brenham Industrial Foundation was formed, and he became a charter member, serving 5 terms as its president. Ed was later named as president emeritus of the Economic Development Foundation of Brenham.

Ed left a legacy of dedication to his family, the church, and the Brenham community.  Many have benefited from his visionary determination, desire, and mission to foster economic growth.

In addition to his parents and brother, Ed is preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Lucile.

Ed’s survivors include his daughter, Beverly Love (Jerry); son, Ben Boettcher (Cindy); four grandchildren, Sara Hardy (Stewart), Jason Williams (Aren), Rachel Hughes (Jeff), Amy Ging (Corey); ten great-grandchildren; sister, Joyce Wagner, as well nieces and nephews.  The family expresses special thanks to Jean Beck for her love, support, and excellent care of both Lucile and Ed.

The family welcomes friends to visitation on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Brenham’s First Baptist Church, Sycamore House.  Funeral services will follow at Brenham’s First Baptist Church at 2:30 p.m. Graveside service at Prairie Lea Cemetery with military honors will follow.

Family, friends, and FBC deacons will be pallbearers. Members of the Scripture Seekers Sunday School class will be honorary pallbearers.

The family requests that memorial gifts be made to Brenham’s First Baptist Church Building Fund.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Tributes may be shared at www.BrenhamMemorialChapel.com.