Hansueli "Hans" Schlunegger

Hansueli ''Hans'' Schlunegger, 92, passed away on October 18, 2025. He was born on July 2, 1933, in Elgg, Zurich Switzerland. As a young boy he had grand dreams of an American future, watching Western movies and envisioning a life of opportunity, adventure and freedom. He served in the Swiss Military from 1951-1959 and attended Belvoirpark Hotel Management School in Zurich, Switzerland, to become a Master Chef. There, he met his future wife, Annemarie, who was studying hospitality. Hans and Annemarie married in September 1957 and welcomed their first child, Ueli, in July 1958 in Zurich. In October 1959 Hans, Annemarie and their 1-year old son, emigrated to America where Hans began his career as a Chef at the Olympic Hotel in Seattle, Washington. While there, they gave birth to their second child, Marian. Then in 1962 Hans and his family moved to Houston, Texas, where he joined the culinary team at the Rice Hotel. This is where Hans orchestrated President John F. Kennedy's last dinner which featured Chateaubriand and Quail ala Jacqueline before his assassination the following morning in Dallas. Hans and Annemarie welcomed their third child, Kurt, in July 1964. Hans later joined the Warwick Hotel as Executive Chef and became the President of the Texas Chefs Association and a member of The American Academy of Chefs and Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, receiving numerous accolades for his exceptional cooking and artistic ice & butter carvings including winning the Pan American Culinary Olympics in 1967. In 1969 Hans and his family settled in Kerrville, Texas, operating and owning multiple hospitality venues including Annemarie's Alpine Lodge, the Swiss Chalet Discotheque and the Inn of the Hills Resort. Hans's business ventures expanded to include numerous hotels across Texas and in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Hans with his wife and three children owned and operated the family businesses and Hans served as a governing member of Best Western International for over 20 years.

Hans was a true Renaissance Man: a Master Chef, an Entrepreneur, a Novelist, an accomplished Pianist, a Pilot, a skilled Ice Sculptor, and a member of the Texas Rangers. He was humbly-gregarious with a warm presence and high spirits. He wrote four novels, all of which are semi-autobiographical thrillers about the life story of a young man in the Swiss Military. Hans was a world traveler, from Italy to China to Hawaii, but had a particular fondness for the American Desert Southwest. He was a loving and supportive husband, father and grandfather.

Hans was preceded in death by his son, Kurt, and is survived by his beautiful wife Annemarie, his sister Margaret, his children Ueli and Marian, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The memorial service will be at Grimes Funeral Chapels on Saturday, October 25th at 3pm.