Jack Albert Harzke

Jack Albert Harzke was born on February 19, 1937, to Albert Charles “Doc” Harzke and Myrtle Catherine (Siebel) Harzke of Priddy, Texas, a small town in northern Mills County. There being no medical facilities in Priddy, Jack was born in Gorman at the Blackwell Sanitarium about 45 miles away. He often noted that his “bassinet” was actually a dresser drawer. When Jack was about a year old, the family moved to Dime Box, TX, where Doc and Myrtle were eventually both teachers at the local public school. Jack’s early years there were filled with the usual accoutrements and adventures of country boys: twigs, twine, and raw bacon for catching crawdads in muddy creek water; sling shots and daypacks for hunting cotton tails on the “back forty;” cane poles and big imaginations for fishing, swimming, and playing Tarzan in the 3-acre stocked pond on the Harzke property. 

Although Jack graduated first in his class of 15 from Dime Box High School, he often noted that his high school years were not focused much on school and mostly revolved around girls, guitars, and sports. He loved and was good at sports, but his small stature prevented him from being the star “jock” he desperately wanted to be. Jack enjoyed playing acoustic guitar, strumming simple patterns, and singing along to his favorite country songs. When Jack was 15 years old, Doc purchased Jack a Martin 21-D acoustic guitar with hard case for $50. The guitar is still in the family, still has a beautiful tone, and is worth at least 200 times its purchase price. He (thankfully) never really shared much about the girls. 

Jack entered Texas A&M University in the Fall of 1955, joining the Corps of Cadets (Battery A Field Artillery). Although he initially struggled with college academics (being “woefully unprepared”), he thrived in the Corps and graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering in 1959 as a Distinguished Military Graduate (commissioned 2nd lieutenant field artillery). Following graduation, he accepted a 6-month active-duty army tour at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, ending in November 1960. Jack subsequently joined the Texas National Guard to fulfill his 8-year reserve requirement. During the Berlin Crisis in 1961, he was called to active duty, and was sent to Ft. Polk, Louisiana for 10 months of training for expected deployment to Germany—which never came. 

Having obtained his Civil Engineer License, Jack worked at Homer A. Hunter Associates, Consulting Civil Engineers, initially in Dallas and then in Austin as a Junior Engineer (2/60 – 9/65). In Dallas, he met the love of his life, sweetheart, and companion of 57 years, Sandra “Sue” Keene, of Bonham, TX. For Jack, it was love at first sight. They were married at 7th & Main Baptist Church in Bonham, TX on Saturday, May 4, 1963. After a one-night honeymoon in Dallas, they packed up and moved to Austin, TX. Jack started his new transfer position at Hunter Associates on that Monday. After somewhat brief stints at Hilgers, Bauerle, and Black Realtors & Developers and at Butler Brick Company, Jack accepted a position with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (10/67 -11/80). This was one of the most enjoyable and educational periods of his professional career. In the Engineering Branch, Jack supervised and managed a twenty-six member staff of engineers, architects, and clerical staff. A particular point of pride while with the state was Jack’s oversight of a $50 million project involving the design, planning, construction, and maintenance support of state park facilities. Later, Jack became interested in municipal government and pursued positions at the City of Round Rock, TX. He served as Round Rock’s Public Works Director/City Engineer (12/80 – 4/85) and later as the City Manager (5/85 -5/87). At that time, Round Rock was the fastest growing city in the state, which presented numerous engineering challenges and opportunities for improvement and planning. Some notable accomplishments during Jack’s tenure at Round Rock included the development of water supply and treatment facilities with Lake Georgetown as the source, the acquisition and development of the then “new” Old Settler’s Park property, the design and construction of a new city hall, and oversight of hundreds of residential developments and industrial connections with such companies as Westinghouse and McNeil Laboratories. Probably the best professional “fit” of his career, Jack finished his work life at the City of Elgin, TX, serving as their City Manager (8/88-4/97). He loved the small-town feel of Elgin, and his experience at Round Rock had prepared him to manage the town’s growth. Elgin’s resources were initially limited, but he and his staff accomplished much with little and secured external funding for such projects as the development of the Morris Park/Elgin Public Swimming Pool, vast improvements to the Elgin Humane Society, and adding a large gazebo and other enhancements to the downtown area in what is now known Veteran’s Memorial Park. Jack often remarked with amazement how much the small community was able to accomplish when everyone worked together. 

With respect to his personal life, Jack and Sue had two children, Charles Douglas (1964) and Amy Jo (1968), and raised their young family in north Austin. Jack enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching his young kids play sports, and tinkering in his shop. A “man’s man” and true engineer, Jack could build or fix just about anything. In later life, he enjoyed visiting with his kids and grandkids and volunteering in the community. He served on Family Crisis Center’s Board of Directors (Bastrop), St. Peter’s Lutheran Church council and Endowment Fund committee, and Elgin’s Business Park Development Review Board. Jack and Sue also volunteered together at the Lion’s Thrift Store for many years. 

Jack’s legacies are undoubtedly his long commitment to public service and volunteerism, the successes of his children and grandchildren, and the many strong friendships he made throughout his life. Jack was a natural mentor and teacher, taking many folks under his wings professionally and personally. Notably, he was second dad and “Uncle Jack” to the Schedler girls who lived next door in Austin—Karen, Susan, and Teresa. He was “Papa Jack” not only to his grandkids but also to most recently adopted daughters, Janice Montalvo and Jenny Phillips, his next-door neighbors in Elgin. Jack never met a stranger. He was proud to be an Aggie and cherished his Wendish Lutheran heritage. He was friendly, gregarious, and irreverent to his very last days. 

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sandra “Sue” (Keene) Harzke, and nephew, Jim Ritchie. He is survived by his children, Charles “Chuck” Harzke, M.D., of San Angelo, TX and Amy Jo “A.J.” Harzke, Dr. P.H., of Houston, TX, his daughter in-law, Kelly (Callaham) Harzke, his grandchildren, Audrey, Jackson, and Mariel Harzke, and Josiah Day, as well as his niece, Debra Ritchie Carrico, nephew Tim Ritchie, niece by marriage, Shelley Paddock Ritchie, and numerous great nieces and nephews and their children. 

A memorial service will be held at St. Peter's Lutheran Church at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 25th. The church is located at 401 East 8th St. in Elgin, TX. For those unable to attend in person, the service will also be live streamed from the church's Facebook page. 

Donations of memorial flowers are welcome, as are donations to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 401 E 8th St., Elgin Texas 78621, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department at https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/donations, or M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at https://gifts.mdanderson.org.