| CLARENCE ANTHONY SCHEEL |
I was born in 1937 in Converse, Texas, located about 20 miles northeast of San Antonio. I descend from German
immigrants
who came to Texas between 1845 and 1880. Three of my ancestors were "Founding Fathers" of New Braunfels in
1845. It was
the primary German settlement in Texas during the 1800's.  My wife of 44 years, the former Jean Ann Haecker, also
descended from German immigrants in Texas. We have three daughters, two of whom were born in Stuttgart,
Germany and
two graduated from the American High School in Heidelberg, Germany. We also have nine grandchildren. So you
can see
that we are indeed a German Texan Family.
immigrants
who came to Texas between 1845 and 1880. Three of my ancestors were "Founding Fathers" of New Braunfels in
1845. It was
the primary German settlement in Texas during the 1800's.  My wife of 44 years, the former Jean Ann Haecker, also
descended from German immigrants in Texas. We have three daughters, two of whom were born in Stuttgart,
Germany and
two graduated from the American High School in Heidelberg, Germany. We also have nine grandchildren. So you
can see
that we are indeed a German Texan Family.
Growing up in Converse, I spoke nothing but German until I was six years old. I learned my English in school. I still speak
German fluently and do so at any opportunity I get. Most of my Scheel ancestors here in Texas were musicians, playing mostly
old time German polkas and waltzes in brass bands. My dad's oldest brother, Bernard, better known as "Herr Louie", started
his own band, known as Louie and His Old Time Band, in 1937 and continued until the early 1950's. He recorded about 40
songs on the old 78 rpm records and a few on 45's.
German fluently and do so at any opportunity I get. Most of my Scheel ancestors here in Texas were musicians, playing mostly
old time German polkas and waltzes in brass bands. My dad's oldest brother, Bernard, better known as "Herr Louie", started
his own band, known as Louie and His Old Time Band, in 1937 and continued until the early 1950's. He recorded about 40
songs on the old 78 rpm records and a few on 45's.
Attending St. Gerard High School in San Antonio, I played trumpet in the band for four years. Following that, I played
trumpet for
four years in the St. Mary's University Symphonic Band on scholarship. From 1955 to 1957, I also played trumpet in
the Texas
National Guard 36th Infantry Division Band, stationed in New Braunfels. During the late 1950's, I played in a German
dance
band in the New Braunfels area.
trumpet for
four years in the St. Mary's University Symphonic Band on scholarship. From 1955 to 1957, I also played trumpet in
the Texas
National Guard 36th Infantry Division Band, stationed in New Braunfels. During the late 1950's, I played in a German
dance
band in the New Braunfels area.
After receiving my Army commission from ROTC at St. Mary's University, I went into the Army for two years and liked it so
much
that I stayed 21 years. During my career, I served six years in Germany--three as liaison officer to the German Army in
Schwaebisch Gmuend and three on the staff at the US Army-Europe Headquarters in Heidelberg. In addition, I served
on a
missile site near Spokane, Washington, was sent to graduate school at Stanford University in California, served at
NORAD in
Colorado Springs, was on the faculty at West Point in New York and served one year in Vietnam. After retirement from
the Army
in 1980, I moved to Colorado Springs, where I worked for 18 years as an engineer in the Aerospace Industry.
much
that I stayed 21 years. During my career, I served six years in Germany--three as liaison officer to the German Army in
Schwaebisch Gmuend and three on the staff at the US Army-Europe Headquarters in Heidelberg. In addition, I served
on a
missile site near Spokane, Washington, was sent to graduate school at Stanford University in California, served at
NORAD in
Colorado Springs, was on the faculty at West Point in New York and served one year in Vietnam. After retirement from
the Army
in 1980, I moved to Colorado Springs, where I worked for 18 years as an engineer in the Aerospace Industry.
After fully retiring in 1998, my wife and I returned to Garden Ridge, Texas, located about 15 miles from
New Braunfels, where I
enjoy researching my family's roots, and promoting German Texan culture and music. I am a member
of the San Antonio
Liederkranz, a 60-member male German Choral Group that was founded in 1892. Once every month,
we sing the traditional
Latin Mass, with German hymns, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in San Antonio. St. Joseph's was
founded in the mid 1800's
by German immigrants. We also sing at weddings, two Saengerfests (German song festivals) and two
concerts each year,
and other special events as they occur.. For all of 2002, I was one of the three musical hosts of the
Musical Journey Show
(also called the German Show) on KGNB radio in New Braunfels.
New Braunfels, where I
enjoy researching my family's roots, and promoting German Texan culture and music. I am a member
of the San Antonio
Liederkranz, a 60-member male German Choral Group that was founded in 1892. Once every month,
we sing the traditional
Latin Mass, with German hymns, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in San Antonio. St. Joseph's was
founded in the mid 1800's
by German immigrants. We also sing at weddings, two Saengerfests (German song festivals) and two
concerts each year,
and other special events as they occur.. For all of 2002, I was one of the three musical hosts of the
Musical Journey Show
(also called the German Show) on KGNB radio in New Braunfels.
Converting from the radio format to putting this show on the Internet has been quite a
challenge. However, it has been worth
the effort and I sincerely hope that you enjoy our finished product. Our website is not very
fancy because I built it myself and I
did not know anything about how to do it before I started. Hopefully it is clear enough for you
to use it effectively. Through this
Internet show, we want to continue to keep our German Texan music and culture alive for our
faithful local listeners and share it
with listeners from around the world. I have always loved German music and doing this
show is a labor of love for me.
challenge. However, it has been worth
the effort and I sincerely hope that you enjoy our finished product. Our website is not very
fancy because I built it myself and I
did not know anything about how to do it before I started. Hopefully it is clear enough for you
to use it effectively. Through this
Internet show, we want to continue to keep our German Texan music and culture alive for our
faithful local listeners and share it
with listeners from around the world. I have always loved German music and doing this
show is a labor of love for me.