Erik J. Worscheh

Erik J. Worscheh, who introduced generations of Houstonians to Europe's fine dining and hospitality traditions, died on Wednesday, the 22nd of June 2011, at the age of 88. He was born in Weseritz (Bohemia) Czechoslovakia, on the 23rd of December 1922, to Alfred and Franziska Worschech.

Erik is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Boney Worscheh; his son, Mark Erik Worscheh and wife, Sue, and granddaughters Hannah, Sophie and Amy Worscheh. He also leaves his brother, Walter Worschech, of Herrsching am Ammersee, Germany, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives in the U.S. and Germany. Erik was predeceased by his parents and his sister Margit Fox of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

In 1958, Erik left the urbane Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills to accept Hilton's challenge to duplicate its success at their latest acquisition - Houston's landmark Shamrock Hotel. The Worscheh touch was immediate, grounded by his classical upbringing in Bohemia, the exacting methods of his parents in their family hotel and a splash of LA flair. The Shamrock Hilton became a playground setting for Houston's top social events, guests reveling in the hotel's poolside and club extravaganzas.

One of many Worscheh innovations was "synchronized service," inspired by the synchronized swimmers featured in the hotel's Olympic pool. A flourish of waiters, one per diner, surrounded a table and served all guests simultaneously. Another was the Worscheh "grand finale" - lights lowered and fanfare electrifying the room as marching waiters paraded with flaming desserts held high.

Later in his career, Erik lent his expertise to Judge Roy Hofheinz's AstroWorld hotels. Eventually he became GM of the prestigious Petroleum Club, for which he won numerous awards from the Club Managers Association of America. Over the years, many a celebrity - including six US presidents and numerous foreign dignitaries - received his personal welcome and detailed attention.

Erik took great pride in teaching the craft of hospitality to aspiring young managers, particularly at the University of Houston's Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, which he helped encourage the Hilton family to found in 1969. He was humbled when close colleagues endowed a scholarship and lecture series in his honor at the College, recognizing his dedication to teaching, hard work and the art of fine service. Another source of pride was the formal gourmand society Les Amis d'Escoffier, which he helped organize and which named him to its permanent committee. Erik was also an honorary member of the Texas Chefs Association. He remained active in retirement consulting with Worrell Design Group.

Recently Erik wrote his life story: At Your Service - A Journey from Bohemia to Texas. The book preserves memories both painful and rewarding and is dedicated to his wife Mary and family. Erik wrote of a privileged childhood in his parent's hotel at Jechnitz, near Prague. But his halcyon days ended abruptly with the onset of World War II. Despite having no allegiance to Germany, young Erik was drafted into its navy, which sent him to operate a minesweeper in the frigid North and Baltic Seas. After the war, he lost track of his beloved family when The Hotel Worschech was confiscated by the Communists. He remained in the West, continuing to serve on a minesweeper for the Allies under the command of the British Navy.

It took two years for the Worschech family to reunite in the then-free West Germany. Erik resumed a normal life and earned a university degree, but because of Communist seizures back home and post-war violence, he became a man without a country. At that point, America and Ellis Island beckoned (and the extra "c" in the name was dropped!). He started as a kitchen steward at the Waldorf-Astoria, then to the West Coast to be captain at the historic Mission Inn in Riverside, progressing to the Hilton organization in Los Angeles and eventually to Houston.

Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Erik from five o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening on Sunday, the 26th of June, in the Library and Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A Memorial Mass is to be offered at ten o'clock in the morning on Monday, the 27th of June, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Christopher Nguyen, Parochial Vicar, is to celebrate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Parish Life Center.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Ted Abbott, Charles Carroll, Charles Caruso, Mark Cox, Fritz Gitschner, John DeVault, Walter Kayser, Horst Manhard, Joe Mannke, and Rod Worrell.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family respectfully requests that contributions in Erik's name may be directed to the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, University of Houston, 229 C. N. Hilton Hotel & College, Houston, TX, 77204-3028; The Council on Alcohol & Drugs Houston, 303 Jackson Hill, Houston, TX, 77007; or to the charity of one's choice.