Herbert Frank Schaake

Herbert Frank Schaake

Herbert Frank Schaake passed away on Saturday February 25, 2017 following complications from a successful heart surgery. Herbert was born in Baltimore, Maryland to his parents John and Margaret Schaake. He attended Baltimore Polytechnic High School and went on to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he graduated with a BA in physics. He proudly wore his MIT class ring, known as the "Brass Rat." Upon graduation, he entered officer training for the Air Force and served for 4 years before beginning employment at Martin Marietta in Orlando, Florida. While in Orlando, he began a graduate program in materials science at the University of Florida. After completing his masters, he went on for a PhD at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Herb had a passion for music that guided him through life. He began studying the organ while in high school, and went on to minor in music at the University of Florida. At the University of Florida, he built a harpsichord that he would later play with his son's high school orchestra. He served as the organist at the University Lutheran Church. Playing the organ required both feet and both hands, and luckily Herb met a wonderful page turner, Jean Bergerud. Jean was also a graduate student at Florida working on her PhD in chemistry, and they were married on May 28, 1973.

Jean and Herb moved to Denton in the summer of 1973 as Herb began working at Texas Instruments, which later became DRS Technologies. His research was focused on the development of electronic materials for infrared devices. Herb was a mainstay at the II-VI Workshop, an infrared materials and devices conference, and never missed the annual meeting. He served on the Workshop committee, reviewed papers, and presented his research. Herb loved mentoring students, and volunteered to judge student papers at the II-VI Workshop as well as interview nervous high school students that wanted to attend MIT. After retiring, Herb continued to work as a consultant. Herb was a longtime member of the Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society and American Guild of Organists.

Herb continued his avocation of music by serving as the organist at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church for 38 years. He helped establish the Denton Bach Society and sang in its early years. Jean and Herb regularly attended the Dallas Symphony, Dallas Opera, and other musical events.

Herb loved traveling, beginning with exploring the Southwestern US and its national parks with Jean. Later, he and Jean traveled the world together, from taking a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia, Turkey to sailing through the fjords of Norway on a small ship. Most recently, their son Christopher and his fiance Jane traveled with them to Machu Picchu for their annual Thanksgiving trip.

Herb had a keen intellect and wonderful, witty sense of humor. He listened to hundreds of books while commuting to and from Dallas. He filled his weekends tackling the most challenging New York Times crossword puzzles, playing golf, and practicing organ. Herb was an excellent cook, and spread his love of food and wine to everyone he met.

Herb lived life to the fullest, and he will be greatly missed by his wife Jean, his son, Christopher and fiance Jane Robertson. He is also survived by his brother, John and wife Carol, his nieces and nephews, David and Peggy Schaake, Scott and Betty Schaake, Laurie Schaake-Hudson and Jake Hudson, Suzie and Steve LaGrandeur, and his brother-in-law Howard Bergerud and wife Carolina.

A memorial service will be held at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church (2121 E University Dr, Denton, TX 76209) at 2 pm Thursday, March 2, 2017. Memorials may be made to Christ the Servant Music Ministry.