Death Notice
SPOHNHOLTZ, Gerald O., 70, of Sunrise Beach died Sunday. Visitation 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Putnam Funeral Home, Kingsland. Services 2 p.m. Thursday, Our Lady of
the Lake Catholic Church, Sunrise Beach. Burial Lakeland Hills Memorial Park, Burnet
County.
Published in Austin American-Statesman on Mar. 2, 2004 - See more at:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/statesman/obituary.aspx?n=gerald-o-
spohnholtz&pid=1985491#sthash.zNqoaOo9.dpuf
Gerald O. (``Capt.,' ``Sasquash,' ``Papa,') Spohnholtz, 70, passed away Sunday, February
29, in Burnet, TX. Gerald was born September 23, 1933, on a farm in rural Stevens
County, MN, the only child of Henry and Helen (Wagner) Spohnholtz. He graduated
from Alberta High School in 1951 where he excelled in all sports. He attended and
played football at North Dakota State University at Fargo. He was inducted into the U.S.
Army in 1954 and was honorably discharged at Fort Hood, TX in 1956. Jerry married
Rita Schuster, his high school sweetheart in 1955. He joined the Austin Texas Police
Department in April 1957. As a Sergeant he served as firearms instructor. He was a firing
range officer for four years and was an expert marksman. After being promoted to
lieutenant, he worked on the street and served as the lieutenant of the jail. He was
promoted to captain in the uniform division in 1973. In 1976 he attended the FBI
Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Gerald continued to serve as a captain (watch
commander) with APD until his retirement in 1986. He was currently serving on the
Board of Directors of the Retired Officers Association. Upon retirement he moved to
Sunrise Beach, TX, where he loved his lake house and enjoyed the peace and tranquility
of Lake LBJ. He served as a lieutenant in the Sunrise Beach Volunteer Fire Department
for five years and was responsible for a fire truck with a crew. He also served as the fire
department's board president from 1989-1993. He adored his two grandchildren and was
a skilled fisherman and hunter. As a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in
Sunrise Beach, he was active in church activities. He loved to watch western movies and
spend time with his best friend, Ernie Hinkle. He was a skilled handyman and could
repair anything. Survivors include Rita, his wife of 49 years; two daughters, Jan Herbst of
Waco, TX, and Lisa Smith and her husband, Dr. Ted Smith of Waco, TX; two
grandchildren, Nicole and Ryan Smith, who will miss their Papa greatly; along with
numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at Putnam Funeral Home in
Kingsland. Funeral services will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in
Sunrise Beach at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 4, 2004. A private family interment will
be in Lakeland Hills Memorial Park, Burnet, TX. Memorials may be made to the Retired
Police Officers Association of the Austin Police Department or to the Sunrise Beach
Volunteer Fire Department. Arrangements are made by Putnam Funeral Home, 145
Texas Avenue, Kingsland, TX, 325-388-0008.
Published in Austin American-Statesman on Mar. 3, 2004
