Florian Charles "Bud" Bengele

Florian Charles “Bud” Bengele, 87, of Helotes, formerly of Houston, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2017, with his loving family keeping a constant vigil at his bedside. Born on November 17, 1929, he was the son of the late Florian Charles Jr. and Marie Catherine (Felix) Bengele. He entered this world as a mere “Speck”, a nickname given to him by the nurses at Mercy Hospital in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, as he was only 4 ½ pounds. Young Florian grew up in Loretto, Pennsylvania, initially on the summer estate of steel magnate Charles Schwab, where his father was employed as a manager.

In 1932 his father died unexpectedly, leaving his mother, a young widow with three children and one on the way. His mother worked hard to provide for her family both financially and spiritually. Breaking gender barriers, she successfully petitioned for an appointment as postmaster for the small village of Loretto. She held this position for decades until her retirement. The priests from the local parish served as role models for her children, particularly the late Father Regis O’Brien with whom Bud had a lifelong bond as a father figure.

Bud received his education from Cambria County High School in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania and St. Francis College in Loretto. He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict, stationed in Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio and thereafter, Osaka, Japan, where he worked as a medical technologist. While in San Antonio, he met his future wife, Cecilia Boecker, who was attending college at Incarnate Word. Bud and Cecilia married on January 26, 1956 in Weslaco, Texas, Cecilia’s home town. They settled in Houston where they lived for many years and raised 5 children. Family and faith were always top priorities in the Bengele household, where love was abundant and respect and support given unconditionally. While in Houston, they were longtime members of St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church. This past January, Bud and Cecilia celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. With their original best man, Bud’s brother, Bill, and maid of honor, Cecilia’s sister, Dorothy, by their side, they received a blessing from their parish priest, Fr. Carlos J. Davalos.

Bud had a lifelong career working for the U.S. Postal Service, starting at the age of 10, when he “interned” for his mother by helping to clean the Loretto branch. He continued to work there, part-time while in school and eventually full time. After his engagement to Cecilia, he transferred to the main branch of the Houston Post Office where he eventually was promoted to supervisor. He remained at the main branch until his retirement in 1985.

In their retirement years, Bud and Cecilia traveled throughout the U.S. as well as the Canadian Rockies, Scotland and Australia. They relocated several times to Weslaco, Texas, Battlement Mesa, Colorado and Kerrville, Texas prior to making Helotes their new home. In Helotes, Bud joined the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the Knights of Columbus and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Bud is survived by his wife, Cecilia (Boecker) Bengele of Helotes; daughters and sons-in-law, Catherine and Gregory Ward of Houston; Rosemary and Steven Sater of Los Angeles, California; Patricia Bengele of Helotes; Elizabeth Bengele and Gregory Pappas of Dracut, Massachusetts; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Ann Bengele of San Antonio; grandsons, Mathew Ward of Houston, Samuel, Jackson and Oliver Bengele of San Antonio; step-granddaughters, Celina Sater-Wesneski and Marinn Sater; brother and sister-in-law, William and Millie Bengele of Amherst, Ohio; brother-in-law, Joe Boecker of Decatur, Illinois; sister in law, Dorothy Becker of Galveston, Texas; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant son, David Joseph Bengele; and sisters, Ann Jordan and Mary Lou Flanagan.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, March 7th, from 5 to 9 p.m., with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at the Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, 6321 Bandera Road, San Antonio. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 8th at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 13715 Riggs Road, Helotes with burial immediately following at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be directed in his name to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Capital Campaign, www.olghelotes.org.