Hans F. Boettger

Dr. Hans Frederick Boettger passed away Friday evening, December 28, 2007 at the age of 90, eleven days after the passing of his wife of 42 years, Jeanne. Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, with Rev. Bryan Thornburg officiating. The family will receive visitors from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Hans was the last survivor of six children born to Henry Edward and Freda (Altus) Boettger in Waco on March 3, 1917. Hans grew up during the Depression and managed to put himself through Baylor Medical School, graduating the Class of '42. He began a career with the U.S. Army, entering service as a Captain and leaving as a Major in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps. After active duty, Hans became a civil servant, worked as Director of the Fort Bend County Health Unit, and had a private practice. In 1970 he retired to his farm in West and lived there with Jeanne until just last month. Hans was quite a bright fellow who had a great appreciation for God, philosophy, and the written word. He will be missed. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Jeanne, who passed away on December 17, 2007; and a son, Richard Frederick Boettger, who passed away in 1995. Survivors include a son, James Boettger and wife Melinda of Corpus Christi; a daughter, Claire Boettger of Corpus Christi; two nephews, Johnny Cotten and wife Jeanie of Corpus Christi, and Thomas Boettger and wife Antoinette of Crafton, Pennsylvania; one niece, Virginia Piatkowski of Kingsville; three stepsons, Dr. John W. Pate, Jr. and wife Rhonda of El Paso, Dr. William Bart Pate and wife Cathy of Ft. Worth, Dr. Robert Thomas Mark Pate and wife Margie of Rocky Mount, North Carolina; one step niece, Caroline Wilkinson and husband John of Woodway; ten grandchildren, Jay Pate, Matthew Pate and wife Catherine, Tiana Hampton, Clint Pate and wife Tina, Nick Pate and wife Irina, Chris Pate and wife Jennifer, Carey Pate and wife Rena, Russell Pate and wife Carol, Christine Pate, and Grace Medrano; nine great-grandchildren, Presley Sue Pate, Gage Hampton, Amanda, Ashley, and Allison Pate, Anthony Pate, and Lola, Seth, and Simon Pate; and many other relatives and friends. Memorials may be made in his name to the Waco chapter of the Salvation Army or to First Baptist Church of Waco.