Alvin Paul "Block" OLBRICH

1918 - 2015

OLBRICH, Alvin Paul
"Block"
April 8, 1918 - July 27, 2015

Born April 8, 1918 in Burlington, Texas, fourth child of Stephanie Pretsch and John Anton Olbrich. He attended Texas A&M University where he played baseball and football. Block graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1939. At the time of his death he was the oldest living member of the 1938-39 championship football team. He was noted for having scored the first touchdown by an "Aggie" in the new Texas A & M stadium.

After graduation, Block worked for Phillips Petroleum Oil Company for the next forty years. He was manager of the Phillips Refineries in Kansas City, KS and Concord, CA. He was assigned to the Phillips Europe-Africa Division in London, England as the Senior Vice President. His jurisdiction included the Esofish Division in the North Sea, England and Germany. He was in charge of the engineering and construction of off shore drilling equipment, a refinery in Teesside, England and a natural gas plant in Emden, Germany. He retired to Lakeway, Texas in 1971.

Block was married to Doris Bright, February 15, 1941. Doris predeceased him June 12, 1992. They raised two children, Susan and Gary.

Block was married to Ruth Douglass, July 9, 1994 until her death, January 8, 2007.

Block was preceded in death by his parents John Anton Olbrich and Stephanie Pretsch; brothers Henry John, William, Roy, John Paul; sister Geraldine Slafka; wives, Doris Bright Olbrich and Ruth Douglass and his beloved grandson, Jon Watts, 1990.

He is survived by daughter, Susan Olbrich Watts (Al), Wichita Falls, TX; son, Gary Olbrich, MD (Maureen), Lake Oswego, OR; granddaughter, Amy Cunningham Kurland, Miami, FL; great granddaughter, Kaylee Kurland, Miami, FL; stepchildren, James Douglass (Peggy) Pittsburgh, PA; Tracey Douglass Lidisky, Corpus Christi, TX; step grandchildren, Jason Lidisky (Johnann), Zachary Lidisky, Houston, TX; Rob Douglass, Tampa FL; Jill Douglass Huff (Justin), Pittsburgh, PA; step great grandchildren, Cami, Jackson and Mason Lidisky, Houston, TX.

Block was a devout Catholic and active member of the Emmaus Catholic Parish. He was a long time volunteer with Meals on Wheels and the Lakeway Thrift Shop. He was involved with the MUD department and recipient of several Lakeway citizen awards. He served in World War ll as an ensign in the US Navy.

Block knew no strangers. He was beloved by family and friends and will be missed by all. A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, July 31, 2015 at Emmaus Catholic Parish, 1718 Lohmans Crossing Road, Lakeway, TX 78734. A reception on-site will be immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrances in Block's name to: 12th Man Foundation, Jon D. Watts '90; Corps of Cadets Center, 1400 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1400 or Letty Owings Center for Addicted Mothers, Central City Concern, 232 NW 6th Ave., Portland, OR 97209

Obituary and guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com