Roll Call Tribute

Eric Michael Twardowski
September 3, 1970 - July 15, 2022

Eric Michael Twardowski, 51, of Spring, Texas, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2022. Eric had experienced a long-term decline in health and complications from a brain aneurysm he suffered over two years ago, from which he never recovered. At his passing, he was surrounded by his loving family.

Eric was born in Baytown, Texas on September 3, 1970, to Leonard James Twardowski and Linda Franta Twardowski. Two years later, his sister Kristen was born, and they spent an idyllic childhood in Baytown, with extended family in Crosby and Highlands.

Eric graduated in 1989, third in his class at Robert E. Lee High School, where he excelled academically and on the cross-country team. He graduated cum laude in 1993 from Texas A&M University with a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering.

On June 8, 1996, Eric married the love of his life, Rachel Nicole Knutson of Baytown, Texas, a romance that lasted 26 years and produced two beautiful children, Wade and Kate, of whom Eric was overjoyed as their father.

They made their home in Spring, Texas, and they were dedicated parishioners of Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, where Eric found every opportunity to serve his Lord and their community. Eric was proud of his service to the Knights of Columbus, where he personified their mission to live "a life of faith in action, a life of boldness in brotherhood, and a life worth living."

Eric spent his career as an accomplished engineer, designing and patenting all sorts of oilfield tools and equipment. He started in 1993 as a field engineer with Schlumberger, and then joined Dennis Tool Company where he spent over a decade as a design engineer for drilling tools, bits, and bearings. Most recently, Eric spent his last 15 years at Weatherford as an engineering manager in their borehole enlargement engineering group. He owned and maintained one pickup truck for his entire career and put enough miles on it to drive it to the moon.

Some live to work; Eric worked to live. Eric never met a stranger. He was most comfortable outdoors, in his garage, mowing his lawn, on the water, and in the fellowship of his family and friends. Eric was an avid outdoorsman, equally adept at wing-shooting in Mexico and fishing southeast Texas lakes and bays from his jon boat, the Sea Chub. He was a straight shooter, without embellishment or pretense.

Between his grill and kitchen, Eric was a culinary explorer, tinkerer, iterator, regularly experimenting with and refining and, importantly, generously sharing his recipes. He was most happy during all these times with family and friends, at ease with the simple rhythms in life.

Eric is survived by his loving and dedicated wife Rachel Knutson Twardowski, his son Wade Michael Twardowski, and his daughter Kate Nicole Twardowski of Spring; his parents Leonard and Linda Twardowski of Baytown; his sister Kristen Twardowski Carlson and her husband Neal of Houston, nieces Elyse Nicole Carlson and Elena Michelle Carlson; his parents-in-law David and Linda Knutson of Spring; his sister-in-law Vanessa Knutson Peden and her husband Thomas, nieces Jenna and Margo Wagner, nephew Alexander Peden of Spring; his brother-in-law Thomas Knutson and his wife Karen of Baytown; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins from the Twardowski and Franta families, all of whom loved him deeply and miss him greatly.

A visitation will be held at five o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 20th of July, at Klein Funeral Home, 1400 W. Main, Tomball, TX 77375, with a vigil commencing at six o'clock in the evening.

The funeral mass will be held at ten o'clock in the morning on Thursday, the 21st of July, at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church at 26777 Glen Loch Dr., The Woodlands, TX 77381, officiated by Father Pat Garrett. Immediately following the service, all are invited to join the family at a reception to be held at the church.

The committal service will be held at two o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 21st of July, at Klein Memorial Park at 9714 FM 2920, Tomball, TX 77375.