Bryan Rothermel

Bryan Rothermel, age 94, left this earthly life and entered his Heavenly home on May 25, 2023.

The funeral service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 1, 2023 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham with Pastor Phil Geleske officiating.  Rite of Christian burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery.

Visitation for family and friends will be Wednesday, May 31, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel.

Bryan was born in Burton, Texas to Paul and Ruby Bryan Rothermel on October 17, 1928.  He was baptized and confirmed in St. John’s Evangelical & Reformed Lutheran Church in Burton.  On December 2, 1950, Bryan was united in marriage to Virginia Kneschke at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Brenham by Rev. Theo R Streng.

Bryan proclaimed his faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior and Redeemer in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Brenham.  He served as a member of the church council and president of the congregation and led adult Bible study groups for over 40 years.  He also served as president of the Lutheran Brotherhood and delivered sermons on Brotherhood Sunday at many area Lutheran churches.  In the American Lutheran Church, he served on the Southern district stewardship committee and on the stewardship committee at the National Convention in Omaha, Nebraska.

Bryan was a graduate of Burton High School and Blinn College.  He was featured in The Buccaneer Yearbook as sophomore favorite in 1948 and inducted in the Blinn Hall of Honor in 2009.

Bryan was employed for 17 years as the fulltime Administrative Assistant for Company “B”, 386th Armored Engineer Battalion of the Army National Guard.  He attained the rank of Chief Warrant Officer and served on active duty at Ft. Polk in 1961 and 1962 when the 49th Armored Division was mobilized.

Bryan was associated with the Germania Companies for 35 years, retiring in 2000 as First Vice-President.  He was president of the Texas Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and was chairman of the Seminar Committee for many years.

At Germania he was responsible for the reinsurance programs and negotiated catastrophe contracts in the United States, Great Britain, Bermuda, France and Germany.  It was interesting to annually negotiate contracts with Syndicates in Lloyds of London.  Along with Professor Bruce Evans, he taught Reinsurance seminars at the University of Dallas.

Bryan was active and involved in community activities serving as Brenham City Commissioner for 10 years.  Active Director for the Brazos Valley Council of Governments including serving as Chairman of the Board.

He also served as a vice-president of the Maifest Association, President of the United Fund, a charter member of the Goodfellows, a charter member of the Washington County Peace Officers Association, board member of the Texas German Heritage Society, life member of the Blinn College Ex-students Association, a long time member of the Brenham Rotary club and was named as a “Paul Harris Fellow” by the Rotary Foundation.

Bryan was a member of the Gideons and served as President of the Brenham Camp.  He was Secretary-Treasurer of the National Guard Reunion Committee for over 40 years and for many years he helped lead the weekly Bible study at Argent Court.  Bryan and Virginia strongly supported all local charities as well as the National Hemophilia Foundation, the Tarahumara Indian Mission in Mexico and contributed to the Indian Tribes in Louisiana.

Bryan and Virginia first met during and after the war in the 1940’s when they both were working at the Simon Theatre, Bryan as the projectionist and Virginia as the usher.  Later they began dating and were married in December of 1950.   They were blessed to celebrate 72 anniversaries together.  They enjoyed traveling and took cruises to Mexico, Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama Canal, Alaska and Danube River. On a Luther tour, they were privileged to see the Passion Play of Jesus Christ in Oberammergau, Bavaria, West Germany.

Bryan was preceded in death by his parents and his brother and sister-in-law Paul and Joyce Rothermel.

Survivors include Virginia, his wife of over 72 years, three sons and daughters-in-laws Gary and Beth Rothermel of Brenham, Michael and Andrea Rothermel of Bend, Oregon, David and Paula Rothermel of Corpus Christi.  Grandchildren Rachel and Phillip Rogers of Austin, Sarah and Kevin Teeter of Louisville, Kentucky, Stephen Rothermel of Austin, Samantha Rothermel of Marlin, Ryan Rothermel of Bend, Oregon and Jack and Lucia Rothermel of Pomezia, Italy; Great Grandchildren Noah and Winter Rogers and Corinne and William Teeter, and Sister-in-law and brother-in-law Rosalie and Keith Davis of Winnie.

Pallbearers will be Phillip Rogers, Kevin Teeter, Stephen Rothermel, Micah Nethery, Donald Rothermel and J. R. Allen. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ryan Rothermel, Sarah Teeter, Rachel Rogers, Samantha Rothermel, Jack Rothermel and Lucia Rothermel. Memorials may be given to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 305 W. Third St, Brenham 77833 or to The Gideons, PO Box 41 Brenham, 77834.

Funeral services for Bryan Rothermel are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel,

1306 W. Main St., Brenham.  To post a tribute to the family, visit www memorialoakschapel.com.