"Edward Stanley Balser, 91, passed away to rejoin Maxine on January 25, 2013. Born on September 16, 1921 on a farm near Lockhart, to Edward and Nora Schulz Balser, Stanley was the second of four boys. Orphaned at age 10, he and his brothers were raised by their grandmother and aunts and uncles in the Lockhart area. After high school, Stanley joined the local National Guard unit, and served in the 36th Infantry Division in North Africa and Europe when they were mobilized following the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. He received the Bronze Star Medal for gallantry in action in Italy in November, 1943. He remained an active member of the Henry T. Rainey American Legion Post for many years, being honored in 2012 as the longest dues-paying member. After four years of service during the war, Stanley attended The University of Texas at Austin and graduated with a degree in civil engineering. On October 18, 1947, he and Maxine Ohlendorf were married and began their life together. They raised two daughters and nurtured five grandchildren together. After thirty years with the Texas Highway Department, Stanley retired, at age 55, to begin assisting with the operation of the family farm and ranch. He thoroughly enjoyed this time in his life, sharing his time, knowledge, and experience with others. He performed engineering consulting and bridge inspections for the state while exploring all the back roads of central Texas. He performed property surveys for local friends and family. Stanley helped both of his daughters build and improve their homes. He taught grandchildren how to hunt and fish. He and Maxine wisely saved so that each grandchild would have a significant college fund. And he always enjoyed regaling the Wimberly deer-hunting camp crowd with his innumerable stories."

(Published in the Austin American-Statesman on January 29, 2013)