H.C.R. No. 27
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Pioneering Texas vintner Hugo Edwin Auler passed
away on October 14, 2023, at the age of 78, bringing a great loss to
his family and many friends; and
WHEREAS, The son of Mary and Hugo Auler, Ed Auler was born in
Austin on July 28, 1945; while a student at The University of Texas
at Austin, he met the love of his life, the former Susan Teeple, and
they were married on June 17, 1967; he enlisted in the U.S. Army
Reserve, and after completing his law degree, he joined the firm of
Kendall, Randall, Finch, and Osborne; he also began running his
family's Fall Creek Ranch in the Hill Country; in 1973, he and his
wife traveled to France to observe a cattle operation, and at her
suggestion, they explored the wine country, too; they ultimately
spent just three days looking at cattle and over two weeks learning
about wine in various regions; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Auler planted his own small vineyard at home
within two years and quickly expanded a quarter-acre plot to seven
and a half acres; in the 1980s, he gave up his law practice and
purchased 400 acres along the west side of Lake Buchanan to
establish Fall Creek Vineyards, blazing a trail for the development
of the Hill Country as a vibrant wine region; over the years, his
wines garnered hundreds of awards; he was a great champion of the
state's industry and advocated for legislation that has helped it
flourish; moreover, he was a mentor to many, and he and his wife
founded the Austin Food and Wine Festival; and
WHEREAS, Although wine was his passion, Mr. Auler was
involved in the energy, real estate, and banking industries as
well; he was a member of the advisory board of Frost Bank; dedicated
to his community, he served on the boards of numerous
organizations, among them St. David's Hospital Foundation and
St. Andrew's Episcopal School; he was president of the Admirals
Club of Austin and Tarry House; he received myriad accolades,
including the People of Vision Award from the Texas Society to
Prevent Blindness and the Service Award from the Colorado River
Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Auler loved the outdoors and traveling the world
with his wife; a pilot for 39 years, he introduced a future
commander of the Air Force One program to flying; he enjoyed playing
guitar and learning about history, geography, and archeology; above
all, he was devoted to his family; he took his sons, Chad and Mark,
on hunting and fishing trips and coached basketball when they were
young; in later years, he delighted in spending time with his
grandchildren and cheering them on at their athletic events and
dance recitals; and
WHEREAS, Admired for his kindness, patience, and dedication,
Ed Auler lived a caring and purposeful life, and he will be
remembered with admiration and affection by all who were privileged
to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas,
3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of Hugo Edwin
Auler and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family:
to his wife, Susan Auler; to his children, Chad Auler and his wife,
Stacy, and Mark Auler and his wife, Clary; to his grandchildren,
Yates, Charles, Ash, Daisy, and Shelby Auler; to his sister, Mary
Ann Meyers; and to his other relatives and many 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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
Ed Auler.
Craddick
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 27 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on November 1, 2023.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 27 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the Senate on November 5, 2023.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor