John Ernest Werler

I was an aviculturist/ dietitian at the old Tropical Bird House from 1968-1974 under supervisor Oliver Heyland, who had assembled the finest Crassid collection / breeding in the world. In 1974 a pair of endangered Amazona guildingii bred while in my care, gaining an AAZPA first breeding award for the Houston Zoo. I shall never forget Mr Werler's pride in the achievement, and words of congratulation. He was a herpetologist's herper, and a fine ambassador for reptiles to a generation of...

I was given the privelidge of working with John in 1977 - we went through alot. Over the past decade + we have laughed at the battles we launched at each other before he retired - as he mellowed and in rememberance of Ingrid she would refer to him as "the tough old German" and he was but he was also a teddy bear at the same time. He will always be a very special person in my heart. May God be with you and encumber you with the love that both John and Ingrid had for all their family and...

Dear John, LeeAnn & Family,

I think the entire city of Houston is saddened by the loss of Mr. Werler. I am one of the lucky people to have met and worked for him at the Houston Zoo. There are way too many fond memories to mention. While attending his memorial service at the zoo, the one thing everyone mentioned about his legacy, was the fact that we were a family at the zoo. Although we worked in different sections…we were all one and that truly shows that not only was he a...

AS FRIENDS OF THE TABONY FAMILY WHO
WERE SNAKE PEOPLE WE WERE TOLD THAT
THE WERLERS WERE COMING TO TOWN. WE
HAVE TREASURED THE LIVES OF JOHN AND
INGRED AND THEIR DEAR SON JOHN. WE
PRAYED FOR THEM IN THEIR ILLNESS.

To John,LeeAnn and children, your father was a man among men. His character and love of life was exemplary. I had the esteemed honor of having a friendship with your parents in the early 70's as he visited my home as we did his. The news of their passing has brought sadness as well as reflection on what their friendship meant to me. I wish to express my deepest sympathy to you and your family on your feelings of loss as I too have just recently experienced, and pray you have some comfort in...

Dear LeeAnn and Ben,

I was trying to find my Dad and sister-in-law and saw this. I know how long you have been taking care of him. It sounds like he's like my own father now. They're in a better place without their earthly bodies to confine them. I know how hard it still is though, even when you've had time to prepare yourself. You are in my prayers. Ben can come by for a hug any time he needs one at school.
Love,
Nancy Wilkins

I first met John Werler in 1947 in San Antonio. I was one of the many kids who he helped to get started in herpetology. We later became "cousins-in-law," when my cousin, John Klein, married his wife Ingrid's sister. He had a full and productive life and changed many other people's lives for the better. May he rest in peace in a place with lots of new species of snakes!

Ted Klein-Lake Travis in Texas

I knew John Werler for many years. I went to work at the Houston Zoo in 1968 and last saw Mr. Werler in a Whole Foods market 3 years ago. We had a nice visit and he told me then that he had cancer. He did not look one day different than I remembered him and he was very up-beat about his illness, telling me that he was changing his diet in order to combat his cancer. I have many fond memories of Mr. Werler and I will always treasure my good fortune in having known him in this life time.

MARGARET AND I WERE SADDEN TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF YOUR DAD.HE WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF MARGARET`S DAD JOHN C.WOTTRING ,YOU MAY REMEMBER HIM (HE WAS THE PERSON WHO DISCOVERED THE HOUSTON TOAD)THEY COULD TALK FOR HOURS ABOUT "HERPS".YOUR DAD LEFT A LEGACY THAT CAN`T BE SURPASSED WITH HIS WORK WITH HOUSTON ZOO ,THANK YOU JOHN .
WE WERE SADDEN TO HEAR OF HIS WIFE`S PASSING LAST YEAR ,BUT YOU CAN TAKE CONCELLATION IN THAT THEY ARE TOGETHER NOW.
OUR GOD IS ALL POWERFUL AND HE WILL...