Roll Call Tribute

Aubrey Martin Herzik 

August 8, 1939 - January 1, 2026 

Aubrey Martin Herzik passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 1, 2026, in Austin, Texas. Aubrey was born in Schulenberg, Texas on August 8, 1939. He grew up in San Marcos, Texas with his mother Madeline Herzik, father George Herzik, and his brother Jack Herzik. Aubrey attended Southwest Texas State University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a minor in physics. He later attended Texas A&M University, where he received a master's degree in computing sciences. Aubrey then served in the Air Force, first as a Lieutenant and then Captain. He was honorably discharged in 1968.

Aubrey eventually moved with his family to Austin and spent most of his career at IBM, where he was a computer programmer. He retired early and then went to work for Texas State Health, where he designed their website. In 2002, he retired for good. In retirement, Aubrey became involved with Senior University, where he taught and attended classes.

In his personal life, Aubrey married Martha Diane Means, "Diane", in 1960, and they had five children, Leslie, David, Jennifer, Clint, and Joanna. He had two daughters-in-law, Risa and Blaine, as well as a son-in-law Mike. He was also "Grampa" to Aidan, Maddie, Lola, Harlowe, Riane, and Vivian. His first marriage eventually ended. Aubrey later remarried and moved to Georgetown, where he had a great life for many years with his wife and his dogs, Bo, Lucky, and Ralphie.

Aubrey was very athletic and played football and basketball in high school. His children have many memories of playing basketball in the driveway and playing catch with him on the cul-de-sac where they lived. Aubrey was also an enthusiastic gardener. He had a huge garden and grew many different vegetables, including okra, corn, cucumbers, beans, and tomatoes. Aubrey had a very particular sense of humor and once when he had an over abundance of cucumbers, he taped signs all over the house, reading things like "A cucumber a day keeps the doctor away," to get his family to eat the cucumbers. He loved the movies and he and his family attended the movies together regularly. Always with a giant box of popcorn and extra salt. Aubrey was an avid reader and bible scholar, often highlighting passages, and he read two newspapers every day until the end. He was an unwavering, diehard Aggie fan, and rooted against the Longhorns his whole life.

Aubrey and his family took many car trips over the years, the most special being the trips to Port Aransas, TX, where he requested his ashes be spread.

In 2019, Aubrey was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. In 2021, he went to live with his youngest daughter, Joanna, who cared for him until he passed away. He couldn't have asked for a more loving and attentive caregiver. Aubrey and Joanna spent a lot of time together having meals, often accompanied by a dark beer in a frosty mug, and watching sports and his favorite show, FBI. Rest in peace, Dad. You were a great father, and we will miss you very much. Gig 'em!