Robert C. (Buster) Appel, Jr.

Robert C. ”Buster” Appel, Jr., age 79 years and 5 days of Brenham, passed away Friday, August 4, 2006 in St. Luke’s Hospital in Houston, Texas.

Buster was born July 30, 1927 in Brenham, Texas to Robert and Caroline (Tiaden) Appel. He attended Central School and Brenham High School, graduating in 1944. He proudly played on the Brenham Cubs Football Team of 1942. He served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1946. In 1950, he graduated from Blinn College with an Associate of Arts Degree.

In 1941, beginning at age 14, he began working at the family’s Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge dealership in Brenham. Upon his father’s retirement in 1969, he became a partner with his brother, Arleigh “Jack” Appel. In 1985, he sold his interest in the dealership to Arleigh. He remained a financial investor until his death.

Buster served as Brenham City Commissioner from 1982-1990. He served as Mayor Pro tem for two terms and served three terms as Mayor of Brenham from 1990-1996.

Buster loved Brenham and was active in many civic organizations. During the time he served as Brenham Mayor, he was also Director of the Brazos Valley Development Council. He was a member of the Brenham Elks Lodge and served three terms as Past Exalted Ruler. He was an active member of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Brenham Rotary Club, Republican Party Precinct Chairman, Sons of Hermann, Washington County Genealogical Society, Independence Historical Society and Chappell Hill Historical Society, and served on the Board of Directors and was Past President of the Brenham Heritage Museum. In 1993, he was honored with “The Man of the Year” award by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Brenham. He faithfully served there as deacon for almost 50 years and also on various church committees.

Buster was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Jeanne Appel.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary Lou Appel; one daughter, Luanne Appel Coles and her husband Martin Coles of Houston; four grandchildren, who lovingly call him “Poppy”, Andrew Austin, Grace Emily, Anna Beth, and Caroline Rose Coles; brother, Arleigh “Jack” Appel of Brenham and sister, Gladys Jaeger and husband Elwood of Giddings.

Visitation with the Appel family will be held Monday, August 7th from 6-8 p.m. in Brenham Memorial Chapel.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 8th at 10 a.m. in the First Baptist Church with Rev. Stephen Ponder officiating. Burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Victor Arlitt, Gregg Appel, Jeff Appel, Eddie Bob Jaeger, Ronnie Ehrlung, Henry Broesche, T.K. Kondron and Cecil Stephenson. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Brenham Cubs 1942 Football Team, his Sunday School Class, Scripture Searchers, Directors of Brenham Heritage Museum, A.W. Hodde, Jr., Leroy Thielemann, Leon Thiel, J.T. Davis and Kenneth Griffith.

Memorials may be given to The American Heart Association, P.O. Box 2568, Brenham, TX 77834; Brenham Heritage Museum, Samanthe Fire Engine Fund, P.O. Box 1122, Brenham, TX 77834; or First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 600, Brenham, TX 77834.

Funeral services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham. 979-836-3611 www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com