Reginald J. Huebner died peacefully of natural causes on Thursday evening, 19 March 2009 while working in his yard. Reginald was born on 17 October 1923 in Alice, Texas. He was the son of Reinhold and Sophie Hillmer Huebner. He was baptized on 23 December 1923 by Pastor M.J. Lorfing and confirmed on 28 May 1938 by Pastor M. Keller. In preparation for parish ministry, Reginald attended Texas Lutheran College, Seguin, Texas and Capital University, Columbus, Ohio. He completed his formal studies at Evangelical Lutheran Seminary (now Trinity Lutheran Seminary) in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated on 7 June 1948 and served his internship at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Lamesa, Texas. Following his ordination on 20 June 1948 at his home congregation, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Alice, Texas, he served at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Maxwell, Texas from 1948 to 1953. In 1951 he formed a congregation in Lockhart, Texas which became Grace Lutheran Church in 1952.
In September 1953, Pastor Huebner entered the US Army as a chaplain. He served in the US Army until he retired as Colonel in June 1973 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. His military career took him, and sometimes his family, to many places. He served at Fort Sam Houston, in Japan, at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, at Fort Hancock, New Jersey, and in Korea and Vietnam. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Meritorius Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Medal, and the Legion of Merit.
Reginald was married to the former Betty M. Lorenz who preceded him in death in 2006. Betty was born in Castle Shannon, Pennsylvania in 1925. They were married at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Castle Shannon on 2 June 1946. Betty and Reginald had four children. He is survived by Donald James Huebner of Austin, Texas; David Edward of Spring Hill, Tennessee; Daniel Steven of Austin, Texas; and Diane Elizabeth of Albuquerque, New Mexico. They were also blessed with 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Erik and Daniel are the children of Donald and Darlene Edge, Jefferson and Elise are the children of Donald and Jan Allen. Sarah, Aspen, and Tristan are the children of Daniel and Sandi. Nathan, Heidi, Larissa, and Micah are the children of David and Nancy Huebner. Jennifer, Alicia, Kristin, Kathlein, Brittani, Rachel, and Jonathan are the children of Diane and Frank Marcell.
Pastor Huebner enjoyed his many years of service in the ministry and the US Army. He was an avid amateur geologist, historian, and naturalist. When he was younger, he enjoyed auto mechanics, woodworking, camping, hiking, and traveling. He instilled many of these pastimes in his children. He liked a good crossword puzzle in the morning and enjoyed reading and tinkering. He was fond of gardening, planting trees, and fixing things. Appropriately, he died “puttering around” in his garden. He will be missed by many.
Services will be held at St John Lutheran Church, Boerne, Texas at 10:00 am on Tuesday, 24 March 2009. Burial will follow at 9:45 am on Wednesday, 25 March at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas. Pallbearers will be Erik M. Huebner, Daniel Huebner, Jefferson L. Huebner, Nathan L. Huebner, Tristan A. Huebner, and Jonathan L. Huebner. Visitation will be at Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home, 111 East Rosewood Avenue, Boerne, Texas. Telephone 830-249-2321.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to St John Lutheran Church, Boerne, Texas or Immanuel Lutheran Church, Comfort, Texas or to the charity of your choice.