Roll Call Tribute

Published in Houston Chronicle on Mar. 12, 2003

Thomas Burt Burttschell Sr.
THOMAS BURT BURTTSCHELL, SR., 78, passed away March 9, 2003 in Weimer, Texas. Mass service will be held at St. Rose Catholic Church in Schulenburg at 10:00 a.m on Thursday, March 13, 2003. Burial will be in St. Rose Catholic Cemetery in Schulenburg directed by Schwenke-Baumgarten funeral home. Born in Columbus, Texas on November 30, 1924 to Simon John Burttschell and Cecilia (Burt) Burttschell, he spent his youth in both Weimer and Columbus and graduated from Weimer High School in 1942. He enlisted in 1942 in the Army Air Corp as an Arial Gunner highlighted by serving as a Ball-turret Gunner in WWII. He received a triple rating and continued his career in the Air Force as a pilot and flight commander within the elite Strategic Air Command most notably flying the B-47 and B-52aircraft. He graduated from the University of Omaha in 1964 and retired from the military as a Major in 1966. He then used his experience and love of aviation furthering his career at NASA in Houston, Texas. In 1989, he and his wife, Joan Green Burttschell, moved to Schulenburg, Texas to enjoy their retirement. He is survived by his children, Cecilia Melton, and husband Bill Melton, Thomas Burttschell, Jr. and Joyce Chamberlain, and husband, Mike Chamberlain, and grandchildren Kar Chamberlain, Dayna Chamberlain, and Chase Chamberlain. One brother, Joe Leonard Burttschell of Magnolia, Texas also survives him. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and one brother, Simon John Burttschell of Pensacola, Florida. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. The family requests memorials be made to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Schulenburg, Texas.