This website will be unavailable from Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, June 3, 2024 at 7:00 a.m. due to data center maintenance.
79S11136 BJM-D
By: Cook of Colorado H.R. No. 362
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The community of Schulenburg lost a respected
physician and a beloved friend with the passing of Dr. August
J. A. Watzlavick on May 17, 2005, at the age of 91; and
WHEREAS, Born in Yoakum on January 18, 1914, to Raymond Jacob
and Sophie Kneitz Watzlavick, this outstanding Texan grew up in
Schulenburg; following his graduation as salutatorian from
Schulenburg High School in 1931, Dr. Watzlavick studied pharmacy at
The University of Texas at Austin, and after earning his degree in
1934, he went to work with his father at the Schulenberg drugstore;
and
WHEREAS, Deciding to return to school to obtain a medical
degree, Dr. Watzlavick later enrolled at The University of Texas
Medical Branch in Galveston and, in 1946, graduated as an M.D.;
after completing his residency at Santa Rosa Hospital, where he was
recognized as an exceptional surgeon and appointed chief resident,
he returned to Schulenburg in 1950 and established a private
practice, which he maintained until his retirement in 2004; for
more than 50 years, he served as the family doctor for generations
of Schulenburg residents, and his skill and dedication to his
practice and his availability to those in need, regardless of their
ability to pay, earned him the lasting respect and admiration of his
many patients; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Watzlavick further distinguished himself
through his involvement with a host of community organizations,
including the American Legion, the Boy Scouts of America, which
honored him with a Silver Beaver Award, the Schulenburg Rotary
Club, for which he was a charter member, and the city council and
Bishop Forest School Board, both of which he served for many years;
in 1985, he was named Outstanding Senior Citizen; his professional
affiliations included the Texas Medical Association, American
Medical Association, Colorado-Fayette Counties Medical Society,
Inter-County Clinical Society, and the National Catholic
Physicians Guild; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Watzlavick was a devout and lifelong Catholic
and supported his religious community as a member of the Knights of
Columbus and the National Catholic Educational Association and as a
75-year member of the KJT, the Catholic Union of Texas, which he
served as state medical examiner; in addition, he was named a Knight
of Saint Gregory the Great in 1973, and in 1990, he was promoted to
the rank of Knight of Grand Cross of Saint Gregory by Pope John Paul
II; and
WHEREAS, While working at the family pharmacy in 1940,
Dr. Watzlavick met Leona Mazoch, a nursing student, whom he married
three years later, on October 26, 1943; the couple enjoyed a long
and happy marriage that was blessed with two children, Thomas and
Nancy, and that lasted for 55 years, until Mrs. Watzlavick's
passing in 1998; and
WHEREAS, Those fortunate enough to have known Dr. Watzlavick
will remember his commitment to his family, his faith, and his
community, and although his death brings great sorrow to his loved
ones, his life stands as an inspiring example of the good that one
person can accomplish; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
Dr. August Watzlavick and extend deepest sympathy to the members of
his family: to his daughter, Nancy Duncan, and her husband, Art; to
his sister, Mary Boeer; to his brother, Joseph Watzlavick; to his
grandsons, Paul Watzlavick and his wife, Dawn, Robert Watzlavick
and his wife, Melissa, and Jim Duncan; to his great-grandchildren,
Andrew, Spencer, and Sarah Watzlavick; and to the many other
relatives and friends of this esteemed man; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. August
J. A. Watzlavick.