Hubert Edwin Kotrla

Hubert Edwin Kotrla, 91 years old, passed away on September 21, 2003 in Austin, Texas. Born August 3, 1912 in Granger, Texas, he was the son of Henry Joseph and Frances Ann Vitek Kotrla. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Albin and John, one sister, Anita Frances; first wife, Ruth Evelyn Rhodenbaugh Kotrla; second wife, Nina Kirkpatrick Kotrla, and nephew/step-son, Gerry Kotrola. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1934 until 1954 and was a survivor of Pearl Harbor. He ran the water reclamation plant in Albuquerque, New Mexico, until his retirement in 1974. Hubert was married to Ruth Evelyn (Sunny) Kotrla from August 19, 1948 until her death on January 24, 1974, and to Nina Kirkpatrick Kotrla from October 4, 1980 until her death on January 28, 2000. Hubert was a good guy and very proud of his Czech heritage. He was one of America’s first joggers, beginning in 1954. Except for weekends, very few days were missed until 1997. An active blood donor and he gave over 45 gallons of blood. He was active in the Pearl Harbor Survivor’s Association, and the VFW, attending most of the local, state and even national meetings. He enjoyed traveling, visiting with friends and family, going to church, playing cards and dominos and league bowling. Hubert was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church. He is survived by his niece/step-daughter Edna Kotrola of Newark, DE; nephew/stepson Joe S. (Don) Kotrla of Round Rock, stepdaughter Rebecca Fox of Austin; and stepson Jeff Kirkpatrick of Austin. He is also survived by several cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His body will lie in state at Weed Corley-Fish Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Monday, September 22. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at Austin Memorial Park, 2800 Hancock Drive, with Reverend Alice Underwood officiating. A reception will follow at St. John’s United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to St. John’s United Methodist Church (2140 Allandale Road, Austin, TX 78756), Hospice Austin (4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78759) or Hyde Park Methodist Church (4100 Speedway, Austin, TX 78751). We would especially like to thank the staff of Retirement Nursing Center for the tender loving care that Hubert received during the last three years of his life. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78705, 452-8811. You may view memorials online at www.wcfish.com