Louis B. Engelke

Born in Galveston, Texas, on September 3, 1917, to Charles and Rowena Engelke, Louis graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in Journalism in 1941. He wrote and edited for the Galveston News and San Antonio Express News until entering the U.S. Army in 1942.

He served as an MP in Patton's Army's 80th Division in World War II, sailing for England on D-Day and earned the Bronze Star. Louis retired in 1977 with the rank of Colonel.

Louis is remembered for his public relations work and his commitment to the community. Following World War II, Louis returned to the San Antonio Express News, and then began a career in Public Relations.

He wrote, "My clients have always been of the highest type. My formula in working for them is: X their good deeds plus Y the interpretation of their good deeds = Public Attitudes."

Blessed with energy and enthusiasm, he served as Grand President of the Sons of Hermann from 1977 to 1989, President of the National Fraternal Conference of America, and President of the Texas Fraternal Congress.

He was responsible for the inception of Hermann's Happiness, a popular Fiesta event, now 25 years old. Louis's full life included: Sons of Hermann Harmonia Lodge, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Order of the Cascaron, Fiesta San Antonio Commission, American Legion, Founders Lions Club, San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, 80th Division Veterans Association, Monday Morning Quarterback Club, and Sigma Delta Chi.

At the time of passing, Louis was compiling his WWII memoirs into a book and learning to use a computer and the Internet.

Louis is survived by: his wife of 61 years, Maxine; his daughter, Roni Engelke and her husband, Harold Seiler; his two grandsons, Mitch Aubin and his wife Suzanne, and Mark Louis Aubin and his wife Carol; and two great-grandsons, Mitch & Suzanne's baby, Benjamin Aubin and Mark and Carol's baby, Christopher Louis Aubin; nephew, Henry Beall, Jr and wife, April.