Marvin Francis Veselka

Marvin Francis Veselka, 78, of Austin, Texas passed away on June 15th, 2019. He was born in 1940 in Corpus Christi to Harry Herman and Matilda Albina Veselka. Marvin graduated as valedictorian of Taft High School in Taft, Texas in 1958. He received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mathematics from Texas A&I University in Kingsville and a Master’s degree in Mathematics Education from the University of Texas at Austin. He married Mary Malcolm Cummins in 1964.

Marvin taught high school math in Texas City before moving to Austin to pursue advanced degrees in mathematics education. He joined the Texas Education Agency in 1969, where he devoted more than a quarter century to the service of the school children of Texas as an educational leader at the local, state and national levels. He retired from the Texas Education Agency as Associate Commissioner for Curriculum, Assessment and Textbooks.

Marvin enjoyed spending time in the outdoors birding, fishing and hunting. He is only the 13th Texan to qualify for the Alaska 200 Club, having seen 200 species of birds in the state of Alaska. He was a die-hard Texas Longhorns fan. He enjoyed his and Mary’s house on Lake LBJ and loved spending time with his four grandchildren.

Marvin is survived by his wife, Mary (Cummins) Veselka; his brother, David Veselka, his daughter, Laura Buehler (Eric); his son, David B. Veselka (Denise) and his grandchildren Asa Buehler, Leila Buehler, Emelia Veselka and Juliana Veselka. He is preceded in death by his mother, Matilda Albina Veselka and his father, Harry Herman Veselka.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either of the following two charitable organizations: Spondylitis Association of America www.spondylitis.org or Doctors Without Borders donate.doctorswithoutborders.org

Interment will be held at 10:00am on Friday, June 21, 2019 at Assumption Cemetery, 3650 S. IH 35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78704. A memorial mass will begin at 11:30am on Friday, June 21, 2019, at the University Catholic Center, 2010 University Ave, Austin, TX 78705, followed by a reception. Parking info: UT Catholic Center’s lot at the corner of 21st St and Whitis is available from 10:30-1:30. There is a pay lot on University Ave next to the center and street parking.