Dr. Koepf

Dr. Ernest Henry Koepf passed away peacefully on May 14, 2016 at the age of 104. Services will be held on Saturday May 21st at 11:00 AM at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Brenham, TX officiated by The Rev. David Ottsen. A reception honoring his life will follow in the church Parish hall. Memorial Oaks Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Ernest was born in Bruceville, TX on January 23, 1912 to Henry W. & Lula E. Koepf. He graduated from Waco High School in 1930 and entered the University of Texas in Austin (UT). While at UT he earned his Bachelors & Masters in Chemical Engineering and a PHD in Physical Chemistry. He was inducted into the prestigious Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society in 1934.

He began his career by joining the Research Department of the Atlantic Refining Company in Philadelphia, PA in 1939. He was one of seven personnel transferred to Texas in 1942 to start what later became the Arco Exploration and Production Technology Laboratory located in Dallas. In 1952 he became the General Manager of Texas City Chemicals, Inc. focusing on recovering uranium. In 1955 he joined Core Laboratories, Inc. as manager of their Research Development division. From 1965-1968 he was General Manager of Francore Lab, a French affiliate of Core Labs, where he resided in Paris, France. He returned to Dallas in 1968 as Vice President of Research with Core Laboratories until his retirement in 1982.

Ernest was very active in the American Petroleum Institute, particularly within the Petroleum Production & Interstate Oil Compact Commission research committees. He authored multiple papers and his work was included in numerous books related to oil production technology. Upon his retirement, he directed his energy and intelligence towards several volunteer organizations including serving as a tax advisor through AARP and a board member of The Wayback House, and the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. He was also a member and usher at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church for nearly 20 years.

He moved to Brenham, TX in 2005 where he resided at Kruse Village until his passing. He was an incredibly active member of the community, volunteering at Baylor Scott & White Hospital and St. Peter's Episcopal Church, while also fitting in multi weekly work outs at Brenham Fitness Center. He was proudly their oldest member and they celebrated his birthday each year at the gym. Ernest was also proud to be the oldest person to ever become a lifetime Texas Exes member in 2007 when he was 95!

Ernest was preceded in death by his daughter Roxanne Koepf Schneider and his loving wife of 67 years, Josephine (Jo). He is survived by his sister Marguerite Marsh and his daughter, Nina Hopkins; 6 grandchildren, Marc Schneider, Melissa Schneider Sabo, Wendy Schneider Halliday, Amy Schneider, Holly Hopkins Richardson, & Mike Hopkins Jr; & 10 great grandchildren, Casey Marie, Amanda, & Jaden Schneider, Joshua, & Christopher Sabo, Natalie, Rachel, & Eric Halliday, & Tyler and Travis Hopkins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, the Washington County Healthy Living Association (WCHLA) Senior Activity Center of Brenham, or a charity of the donor's choosing.

For more information or to post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com or call 979-836-4564.

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