2014-3 Remembrances Special Edition1
City of Schertz
Remembrances Special Edition Article 2014-3
Prepared by: Schertz Historical Preservation Committee
A Legacy Fulfilled – Walter A. Schertz
Walter A. Schertz died April 7, 2014 at the age of 94 after a short stay in a local hospital. His
obituary was simple, to the point, and without elaboration of his life experience. It was as
though Walter himself wrote the obit intentionally revealing little about his life’s experience
that so impacted his community of Schertz, Texas. You see, Walter was a modest man not
prone to self-promotion, and his quiet demeanor concealed the inner drive that kept him
heavily involved in Schertz community service throughout his life.
To chronicle Walter’s life is to chronicle a good portion of the history of our city. Walter was
first among those responsible for the early development of the city. His commitment to our
city was no accident. He knew from an early age that there was a legacy his ancestors had left
him that needed to be preserved. That legacy began with the establishment of the first
homestead and commercial farming operations of his great grandfather Sebastian Schertz and
continued with the establishment of city water and electric utilities by his father and
grandfather. The family legacy of establishing and promoting community commerce was
embodied in the family ancestors’ (Sebastian, Adolph & Wilhelm) establishment of mercantile,
cotton gin, grain processing plant and postal operations within the community. The legacy of
service to community was handed down to Walter through example; such as when his
grandfather donated two acres of his farm land for the first proper school building (grades 1-10)
in the town and when his great uncle contributed land for the placement of a train depot in the
town. Walter was the son, grandson & great grandson to whom the family torch was passed
and who accepted the responsibility for carrying on the legacy of assuring that the Schertz
community prospered.
Walter was born February 17, 1920, at the Schertz Community Hospital (still
standing at the 800 block of Main Street) to parents Walter J. and Alma
(Wuest) Schertz. He grew up as a part of a farming family with the cotton-
and corn-raising business occupying the family’s attention and time. The
cotton operations that his father and uncles had maintained in the early
decades of the 20th century fell dormant due to the cotton market decline of
the late 1930s. Walter attended Schertz-Cibolo School on Main Street and went on to business
college in San Antonio. Upon his father’s death Walter took over the family businesses. He
entered the U.S. Army Calvary Corp once America entered World War II and was first assigned
to Dodd Field just adjacent to Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. He transferred to
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Randolph Field and later received orders to the Republic of the Philippines to prepare for the
invasion of Japan. He spent time training for the Japan invasion on the islands of Latti and
Mindanao. Good fortune allowed the war to end before an invasion of Japan was ordered and
Walter proceeded with the occupation forces into Japan. Walter returned home to Schertz
following his honorable military discharge.
The task at hand following the war was to reassume management of the family water works
company and the Schertz Electric Company. Prior to the war his father had entered into
partnership with two other prominent Schertz citizens in an attempt to develop a residential
subdivision within the town that would accommodate the nearby military families assigned to
Randolph Field. That initial partnership folded and Walter Joseph (Walter A’s father) was left
without means of pursuing the project. Walter A. resurrected the project and took steps to
resolve the major obstacle to success of the subdivision project which entailed obtaining
Veterans Administration (VA) and Federal Housing Authority (FHA) loan approvals for
interested Schertz land purchasers. Walter petitioned his congressional representatives to
authorize VA and/or FHA loans for home buyers wanting to buy in the Schertz community.
Walter appeared before VA and FHA representatives at the Library of Congress (Washington D.
C.) and secured the needed approvals. Thereafter, lots began to be sold and homes began to
be built in what became Aviation Heights Subdivision. Walter and a few partners went on to
purchase property and begin another more modern subdivision called Lone Oak. Eventually,
Walter sold the water company to the cities of Universal City and Schertz. He also sold the
electric power company to a local supplier that eventually was taken over by Guadalupe Valley
Electric Cooperative.
Walter was an early volunteer with the Schertz Volunteer Fire Department and a charter
member of the Converse Lion’s Club. Schertz was incorporated in 1958 and Walter was named
as a member of the city’s first city council. His business acumen landed him on the Board of
Directors of the Randolph Field National Bank in Universal City where served a term as
Chairman. In 1965, he was selected to be Executive Director of Schertz’s Urban Renewal
Project and served on its Board of Commissioners. The latter project was a ten year endeavor
and produced renewal and redevelopment for central Schertz, established the city park
(Pickerell Park), and made significant improvements to the city streets and infrastructure.
Walter leaves behind his wife Lula Mae Schertz who herself has given much in the way of
community service to Schertz. The couple are members emeritus of the Schertz Historical
Preservation Committee which they served loyally for many years.
The Schertz family legacy has been richly endowed by the life of Walter A. Schertz. His mark on
our community will be visible for years to come. We grieve for the loss but celebrate the life
that he so honorably lived. RIP Walter!