Wilfred Emshoff

CTAC Wilfred E. Emshoff, USNR (Ret.)

Eight Bells for CTAC Wilfred E. Emshoff, USNR (Ret.) The nautical euphemism for “finished” and to a sailor meant that his watch is over, having been properly relieved. Wilfred passed away on July 23, 2020.

Mr. Emshoff was born December 21, 1935 to Arnold Fritz Emshoff and Isabell (Brandt) Emshoff. He grew up on the Emshoff farm, New Wehdem Community, Austin County, Texas. He attended New Wehdem and Pleasant Hill elementary schools, Brenham High School, Bellville High School and attended Howard Payne College at Brownwood, Texas.

Wilfred was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. “The second best day in my life was the day I was made Chief.”

On June 17, 1953, Wilfred enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve at Naval Reserve Electronics Division 8-22 in Bellville, Texas. After reenlisting in 1961 he crossed over from General Service Navy to Naval Security Group and from Yeoman 2nd Class to Cryptologic Technician 2nd Class. After advancing to Petty Officer First Class in 1965 he served two Temporary Active Duty tours with Naval Reserve Recruiting in Houston, TX early 1966. Later that year he began a normal Active Duty tour stationed at Naval Communications Station, Sidi Yahia, Morocco. Late in 1968 he re-affiliated with the Reserve Naval Security Group Division 8-2 in Houston, Texas and remained in a Ready Reserve Pay Status billet until 1987 at which time he transferred to a non-pay status in Miami, Florida. He was advanced to Cryptologic Technician Administrative Chief Petty Officer in August 1970, as appointed by Secretary of the Navy (Permanent Appointment). He retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve Security Group December 21, 1995 finishing with 42.5 years total Active and Reserve service. His awards include the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal (7 awards), National Defense Medal and Armed Forces Reserve Medal (3 awards). His other medals (commemorative) are: Honorable Service, Navy, National Guard/Reserve, Armed Forces Retired, Cold War, American Defense and Overseas Service Medals.

Wilfred had life membership with PETER TOMICH Texas Chiefs Quarters, National Chief Petty Officers Assn, Navy Cryptologic Veterans Assn., Naval Enlisted Reserve Assn., Fleet Reserve Assn. Branch 159, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7104, and Disabled American Veterans. He was a member of Sons of Hermann Lodge # 6 in Brenham, Texas.

Wilfred was employed at Shell Chemical Corp., Deer Park, Texas for 6 years and later with National Airlines, Inc. and after the merger, with The Pan American World Airways until his early retirement in 1991. As an airline employee, he had extensive travel benefits traveling to many cities in the U.S. and foreign travel to many countries including: South America, Israel, Germany, France and Holland.

Time permitting, his many other interests and hobbies included research, documenting and compiling his EMSHOFF-KOESTER-REMMERT-ENGELKENJOHANN and BRANDT-BIELEFELDT-MUELLER-DIPPEL family history project, writing some of his childhood memories grown up, old-timers’’ stories and of his relatives who served with the Texas Army in Louisiana and died or returned from the Civil War; shooting, loading ammo, documenting and production of The Texas Emshoff History Project (on-going). He was a musician; played the guitar, piano and accordion having studied piano under Johnny Richter, Sr. of the New Wehdem Community circa 1940s-50s. He played with Bennie Murski Melody Kings Band from 1952 until 1965, Jesse Lee Hernandez of Giddings from 1953-1955, the Brenham Community Band, the Jimmy Rohde Dance Band, the Lazy Farmers Polka Band and with Marcus Mallard’s Dancer’s Choice Western Swing and Dance Band of Navasota from 1991 to 2005. He played accordion for and led the Winedale Forelich Gesang (German mixed singing group) and sang and played accordion for and with the Houston Shanty COHR (Old Naval and sailors German Shanty music) with the Houston Liederkrantz Organization. He has worked with under- privileged children to use their talents to become better citizens. He restored and collected old tools, studied their uses in blacksmithing, restoration of old furniture, and old trucks. His main woodworking project was with Texas Red Cedar curing, sawing, custom building large and small items. He taught others Firearms Safety, Edged Weapons, edged tools and powered tools safety and accident prevention. He enjoyed putting together Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys Project, (recordings and live performances and dances). He enjoyed working in his large vegetable garden.

Wilfred married Charlotte Lee Jones of Houston in 1956 and divorced her in 1965. In 1969 he married Juanita Louise Moore of Houston, was divorced in 1972, remarried her in 1978 and was divorced again in 1992.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Wilhelm Emshoff and Henriette (Koester) Emshoff, Hermann F. Brandt and Elizabeth (Mueller) Brandt; parents Arnold Fritz Emshoff and Isabell (Brandt) Emshoff, all of Austin County, Texas; and brother-in-law Travis Pilchiek.

Survivors include: sons and daughters-in-law, John Michael and Anita Emshoff of Ft. Worth, Texas, Robert Edward and Sarah (Gilbertson) Emshoff of Spring, Texas and daughter Kimberlyn Kay (Emshoff) (Burlette) Crowe and son-in-law Paul Williams of Dallas, Texas; daughters Cheryl Lee (Emshoff) Burlette and Kelly Elizabeth (Zarka) (Emshoff) Weller; grandchildren, Joshua Michael Emshoff, Kayla B. Emshoff, Harrison C. Emshoff, Krystal Layne Emshoff, Stuart Lee Williams, Emily Robyn Emshoff, Kaitlin Nicole Emshoff and Karin Morris; brother, Billy Roy Emshoff and wife Diane of Kerrville, Texas; sister, Bonnie Jane (Emshoff) Pilchiek of Brenham, Texas.

A graveside service is being held at 10am, Saturday, August 1, 2020, the St. James Lutheran Church Cemetery of New Wehdem, located at 10362 New Wehdem Road, New Wehdem Community in Austin County, Texas. Military burial ceremonies will be performed in honor of Wilfred’s faithful service to our country.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX. 979-836-3611 or visit www.brenhammemorialchapel.com