ENGELBERT JOHANN FORTHUBER

1926 - 2014

ENGELBERT JOHANN FORTHUBER Engelbert Johann Forthuber, 87, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on Tuesday, July 1st. He was born on July 19, 1926 in Tarsdorf, Austria. He is preceded in death by parents, Engelbert and Johanna Forthuber, and son, Fred Forthuber. Raised in the small, picturesque farming village of Geinberg, Austria, Bert's parents instilled in him a love and passion for music and the outdoors. At an early age, Bert was identified as a gifted musician and selected to attend an elite all-boys boarding school for intensive musical training in Frankfurt, Germany. After the war, Bert continued his musical studies at the University of Vienna. During that time, he was chosen to be a member of the Austrian Goodwill Musical Tour. The group toured throughout the United States which included a performance at Pan American University. It was then that he was introduced to the Krenmueller family, one of the local host families for the tour. It was during this tour that he met their daughter, Trudy Krenmueller, who would later become his wife. In 1954, Bert and Trudy were happily married. In keeping with his love of nature and the outdoors, Bert stepped in to help run the family business known as Krenmueller Farms. Under his leadership, the farm grew and prospered. He was a pioneer in the industry, mastering a successful balance between business and agriculture. He received the Texas Vegetable Association Award of Merit and was inducted into the Texas Produce Hall of Fame. He served on various boards throughout his life including the Alamo Bank of Texas and the Hidalgo County Water District No. 2 for which he served over 30 years. Bert was known to his many friends and family as fair, honest, and generous. He was fun-loving and had a quick wit. His greatest joys were his farm, his family, his dogs, Sissy and Kaiser, and his home in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Trudy Forthuber, daughter, Lisa Cofoid (Steve), son, Marcus Forthuber (Courtney), and grandchildren, Trevor Cofoid, Philip Cofoid, Hunter Cofoid, Garrett Forthuber and Sarah Forthuber. The family would like to give special thanks to Jack Radde, Oscar Fuentes and David Hernandez. Donations can be made to the following: Su Casa de Esperanza, 8000 Cisne St., Pharr, TX 78577, Vannie E. Cook, Jr. Cancer Foundation, 101 W. Exp. 83, McAllen, TX 78503 (vanniecook.org) or Good Samaritan Community Services RGV, 317 W. Gore, Pharr, TX 78577. Funeral service will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 5th 2014 at St. John's Episcopal Church in McAllen with the burial to follow at Roselawn Cemetery. kreidlerfuneralhome.com Sign the guest book at www.themonitor.com/obituaries