Hank Wiederhold '76 knew firsthand that a generous act could yield lifelong rewards.
When he was transferring from Blinn College to Texas A&M University in 1973, Hank met a young banker who cosigned his student loan. This stranger’s act of generosity allowed him to fulfill his dream of becoming an agricultural engineer. After graduating, he worked more than 30 years for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) before retiring in 2013. Unfortunately, Hank passed away suddenly in May.
Angela and Hank Wiederhold
To honor his memory, his wife Angela Wiederhold established a $25,000 endowed scholarship in his name in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. The Hank Wiederhold Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 1976 Memorial Scholarship will support Blinn transfer students in the department who are specializing in water conservation and wetland habitat creation. Students from Dallas, Travis, Montgomery, Nacogdoches and Lee counties will be given preference.
“My husband always shared everything, including his time, expertise and financial rewards,” Angela said. “Texas A&M gave Hank the opportunity to have a wonderful education and provide well for our family and for others. We want to give back in a meaningful way that will honor Hank’s values of learning, loving and sharing.”
Hank’s career with the NRCS resulted in countless benefits for Texans. He led hundreds of wetland restoration projects and was recognized by both the City of Port Arthur and the NRCS for his exceptional work as its lead engineer on watershed protection after Hurricane Rita in 2005. He was presented in 2006 with the Texas Section of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers’ “Engineer of the Year” award. Wiederhold was also instrumental in implementing the Emergency Watershed Protection Program in East Texas.
“Family, integrity, excellence, a love of all things Texas A&M, and an unparalleled ability to work with people—such is the legacy of Hank Wiederhold,” said John Mueller, state conservation engineer at NRCS. “Hank received approximately a dozen agency awards during his career for a wide range of areas recognizing excellence in training, leadership, and outstanding performance of his duties.”
Hank’s passion for helping people extended to his family—which includes two sons and two adopted sons—and to his many friends and total strangers.
“Hank was the life of the party and had a great sense of humor,” Angela said. “It’s truly humbling how many people have reached out to us following his passing. Hank had done something thoughtful for so many.”
Texas A&M Foundation
The Texas A&M Foundation is a nonprofit organization that solicits and manages investments in academics and leadership programs to enhance Texas A&M’s capability to be among the best universities.
