Impact worthy of acknowledgment
On a hot summer day in Aggieland in 1962, Squadron 13’s newest members had their first encounter with Louis W. Zaeske Jr. ’64. Zaeske served as first sergeant and commanding officer of Squadron 13, which required him to ensure freshman cadets were welcomed to Texas A&M in true corps fashion.
Wayne Roesler ’66, a member of the Squadron 13 freshman class, shared his first memory of Zaeske.
“We had no idea what to expect and from what we had heard, corps life seemed scary so we were prepared for the worst,” Roesler said. “The first person to greet us was First Sergeant Louis Zaeske and from that moment on we experienced what being an Aggie was all about.”
While it was difficult to adjust to life in the Corps of Cadets, Roesler said Zaeske took on their freshman class of cadets, taught them what it meant to be an Aggie, and turned them into fine young men.
“Lou was hard on us, but through it all he taught patriotism, honor and camaraderie,” Roesler said. “Our group really bonded with Lou over the two years we had him as a commanding officer, and maintained our connection with him well after we all graduated.”
Another member of the freshman class of cadets, Buzz Rogers ’66 credited Zaeske with instilling values into each of them that they hold dear to this day.
“Lou’s influence was widespread on all members of our fish class, and as a result of his leadership, direction and unique military training methods, we all grew up significantly,” Rogers said.
Rogers pointed to Zaeske’s leadership for the success of the freshman class.
“Many of our class held high ranking positions within the Corps of Cadets and after graduation yielded a large number of officers in the military from the Air Force to Marines,” Rogers said.
Rogers fostered a deeper relationship with Zaeske as they shared a hometown, San Antonio, Texas, and would share rides home together often.
“He softened a little on our trips home, but the respect was always there,” Rogers said. “Through my subsequent years, both in military and civilian life after retiring from the Air Force, I can think of no other individual who had a greater impact on my life than Lou.”
A third member of the class, David Decker, echoed Roesler’s and Rogers’ affirmations of Zaeske.
“Zaeske set the tone for our squadron. He hammered into us what it meant to be an Aggie by demanding we devote time to the process of being the Corps of Cadets,” Decker said. “I thought less of other outfits lacking a real first sergeant like Zaeske. He made us into Aggies and graced us with a vintage fish year.”
Honoring Zaeske
Dick Burns, a graduate of the Texas A&M College of Engineering and a member of the 1962 freshman class, received an invitation from the Texas A&M College of Engineering to purchase a commemorative brick. After looking at the examples of bricks previously purchased, Burns’s immediate thought was to place a brick in honor of fellow engineering graduate and first sergeant of his squadron, Zaeske.
“I reached out to our little group of ‘fish buddies’ and asked if they would want to contribute to a brick in memory of Lou, who passed away in August of 2011,” Burns said. “The response of ‘yes, count me in’ was overwhelming and after getting everything in order, I ordered the brick.”
After ordering the brick, Burns worked with College of Engineering Alumni Relations Coordinator, Abby Tiemann, to coordinate a brick setting ceremony.
“We invited Lou’s wife, Jo Ann, their two daughters, Jeannine Koll and Cheryl Wenck, along with their families,” Burns said. “On Sept. 14, members of our freshman class of cadets and Lou’s family met at the Zachry Engineering Education Complex for the tribute to our first sergeant, mentor and friend.”
Members of the class of ’66, and 1962 freshman class of cadets of Squadron 13 who contributed to the brick include: Burns, Terry Callaway, Decker, James Darden, Bob Henslee, Buddy Jackson, John Nelson, Rogers, Diego Sanchez, Bill Wright and Roesler.
Louis W. Zaeske Jr.
Zaeske was born Dec. 17, 1941 at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He was the son of Louis W. Zaeske Sr. and Agnes (Prihoda) Zaeske. Zaeske traveled throughout the United States as his dad served in the Air Force. A member of the class of 1964, Zaeske graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets and a member of the esteemed Ross Volunteers. After graduating from Texas A&M, he pursued advanced studies at Purdue University.
Zaeske married his high school sweetheart, Jo Ann Maha (Macha), in 1964. They moved to Bryan, Texas, where he founded and operated Zaeske Engineering Company for 35 plus years.
Love of country was very important to Zaeske. In 1989-90 he ran for the Texas Senate, and in 1993, he ran for the U.S. Senate. He also worked on and contributed to many candidates' campaigns. Zaeske was always very open, direct and honest in his political, business and personal affairs.
Zaeske is survived by his wife, Jo Ann, of 47 years; his two daughters, Jeannine Koll and husband, Chris Koll, of Lewisville and Cheryl Wenck and husband, Fred Wenck, of College Station; and his grandchildren, Jennifer Koll, Lauren Koll, Adam Wenck, Fallon Wenck and Faith Wenck.