Roll Call Tribute

Marvin John Dvoracek
July 16, 1932 – October 13, 2021

Marvin John Dvoracek, Colonel, USAR, (Retired) Professor Emeritus, Texas Tech University.

Marvin John Dvoracek, born July 16, 1932 on a farm east of West, TX to John and Carrie Dvoracek, passed away peacefully at home on October 13, 2021 in Bryan, TX. Marvin grew up on a farm between West, Penelope, and Abbott, TX. He graduated from Abbot High School at the age of 15 and attended Hillsboro Junior College where he received his Associate’s Degree. Once he turned 17, he enrolled at Texas A&M University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy in 1953. At that time, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army, serving 2 years on active duty at Ft. Bliss, TX and then transitioned to the Army Reserves.

He returned to Texas A&M and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1957. During this time at A&M, he was injured playing softball and ended up in the Student Health Center where Gladys was working as a nurse. They were married on December 28, 1957. They shared 62 wonderful years together full of great times with family, friends and travel. They had two sons, John and Michael.

Marvin worked as an Instructor at A&M from 1957-59 and then went to the University of California (Davis) where he worked as a Lecturer and earned a Master’s of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1962. He and Gladys moved to Lubbock, TX in 1962 and he started working as an Associate Professor in the Agricultural Engineering department at Texas Tech University. He taught at Tech from 1962 until 1994, rising to become the Department Chairman in 1977. Both he and Gladys were devoted to his students and their families and remained in touch with many over the years. He retired as Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Engineering in August of 1994. Marvin also continued his service to the country in the Army Reserves, eventually being promoted to Colonel and serving as the Commandant of the 4166th USAR School in Lubbock until retiring. Marvin and Gladys then moved to College Station, TX to enjoy retirement. While he enjoyed gardening and working around the house, he eventually was drawn back to teaching and worked part time as a Lecturer in Engineering Design Graphics at Texas A&M from 1996-2002. He also did independent engineering consulting work around the College Station area. Marvin was a proud member of the Aggie Class of ’53 and enjoyed numerous reunions and get-togethers with his classmates and their spouses over the years. He was active at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Lubbock where he served in multiple leadership roles. He and Gladys were also active members at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Bryan, TX.

Family was very important to Marvin. He helped Gladys with doing genealogy research and planning numerous family reunions. They enjoyed travelling and spending time with family and friends. He was proud that both of his sons were able to attend Texas A&M and followed in his footsteps serving the country in the Army and achieving the rank of Colonel. He loved showing off a picture of “the Three Birds.” He enjoyed fishing and playing softball (he had an amazing fast pitch) and was always up for a game of dominoes or Taroky. He was also a devoted Aggie fan and stood behind the football team in the good years and the bad – and he really enjoyed the results of the last Aggie game against Alabama.

Marvin was loved by many and will be greatly missed. He always took great joy in hearing from his former students and was especially touched by the outpouring of love and support from them the last few years. He always had a mischievous grin and twinkle in his eye that brightened the day of everyone he saw. Special thanks goes out to all his caregivers including those at Senior Helpers, Traditions Hospice nurses, medical technicians and social workers, and all of the staff at Arbor Oaks that supported and cared for him.

Marvin was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Dworsky Dvoracek; parents, John Dvoracek and Carrie Urbanovsky Dvoracek; sister, Bernadette Dvoracek Pustejovsky and her husband, Jerry Pustejovsky; brother, William Ray Dvoracek and his wife, Carolyn Hynek Dvoracek.

He is survived by his son, COL (USA, Retired) John Charles Dvoracek '85 and his wife, Sara Lehnert Dvoracek '85 and their children, Patrick and Rachel; son, COL (USA, Retired) Michael Dvoracek '87 and his wife, Jennifer Ireland Dvoracek and their sons, Charles and John.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 21st from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and Funeral services Friday, October 22nd at 10:00 a.m. at the Memorial Funeral Chapel, 2901 Texas Ave. S., College Station, TX. Interment follows at the Aggie Field of Honor, 3800 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX. A reception will follow at the Memorial Funeral Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Marvin J. & Gladys Dvoracek Scholarship Endowment at Texas Tech University.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialfuneralchapel.com for the Dvoracek family.

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