83R5693 LUC-D
By: Hunter H.R. No. 276
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
death of Erich E. Wendl of Corpus Christi on February 27, 2012, at
the age of 80; and
WHEREAS, Erich Wendl was born on November 13, 1931, in
Munich, Germany, to Johann and Emilie Wendl; after immigrating to
the United States in 1953, he accepted an internship at HEB in
Harlingen to study the American grocery business; while in
Harlingen, he met his future wife, Elvira Castillo, and with the
passing years, their family grew to include two children, Karl and
Barbara; and
WHEREAS, From 1954 to 1956 Mr. Wendl honorably served in the
United States Army; he became a naturalized citizen of his adopted
country during his tour of duty; and
WHEREAS, In 1961, after success as a top salesperson for
Boggus Motor Company in Harlingen, he bought five Corpus Christi
convenience stores; he renamed them Maverick Markets, and his
handful of properties eventually grew to include 102 locations
across South Texas; he sold Maverick Markets to Coastal Market
Incorporated in 1995; in recognition of his long and successful
career, Mr. Wendl was inducted into the Corpus Christi Business
Hall of Fame in 2005; and
WHEREAS, This respected entrepreneur was one of the original
founders of the National Association of Convenience Stores and was
elected president of the organization in 1979; he served as
president of the Corpus Christi District Retail Grocers Association
in 1965 and 1966 and was elected to the Corpus Christi Chamber of
Commerce board of directors in 1971; the following year, he became
president of the Texas Retail Grocers Association, and in 1975 he
was named Retail Grocer of the Year by the National Association of
Retail Grocers of the United States; and
WHEREAS, In addition to achieving success in retail,
Mr. Wendl served on the board of the San Antonio branch of the
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas; appointed in 1990, he was named
chair in 1993 and served in that capacity through 1996; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wendl gave back to the Corpus Christi community
by serving on the boards of the Art Museum of South Texas, the
Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra, the Christus Spohn Health System
Foundation, and the local chapter of the National Conference of
Christians and Jews; he played an active role in the Corpus Christi
Rotary Club, the Corpus Christi Mustangs, and numerous other local
organizations; and
WHEREAS, A member of the German Society of the Coastal Bend,
Mr. Wendl was made an honorary consul of the Federal Republic of
Germany and was awarded the Order of Merit from the German
government; while he never lost his German accent, he would always
answer those curious about his origin by saying proudly, "I'm a
Texan by choice"; and
WHEREAS, Though Erich Wendl achieved extraordinary success
in the business world, it is his humility, generosity, and devotion
to his family for which he will be remembered; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Erich E. Wendl and
extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,
Elvira Castillo Wendl; to his children, Karl D. Wendl and his wife,
Julie, and Barbara Pender and her husband, Donald; to his
grandchildren, Erich Wendl II, Brittany Ann Wendl, Rose Elizabeth
Pender, and Claire Miriam Pender; to his nephew, Dr. Florian Wendl,
and his niece, Johanna Wendl; to his sister-in-law, Gisela
Schmitt-Wendl; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Erich
E. Wendl.