Theodore Fred Zoch

Theodore Fred Zoch, the second son of Theodore William and Adeline Schultze Zoch, was born on Palm Sunday, April 5,1936 in Winchester, Texas. He was baptized one week later on Easter Sunday in St. Michael’s Lutheran church by Pastor Trinklein. Grandfather Ernest Schultze, who lived with the family, called his two grandsons Sonny and Buddy, names which they answered to until they started school at the age of six.

When Ted was six, he entered the two-room parochial school of St. Michael’s and received the name Freddie from his first-grade teacher, Alvin Weiser. An introduction to reading came in both German and English, the alphabet in both languages and simple reading in both as well. Memorization of Bible verses like the Ten Commandments and prayers were also taught in both languages.

He was confirmed by Pastor George Heinemeier on Palm Sunday 1950 in St. Michael’s. He was so impressed with the teachers and learning in elementary school that he made the decision to become a Lutheran teacher for the rest of his life. In the fall of 1950, he entered Concordia Lutheran College in Austin, TX. (then a high school prep-school for young boys wishing to become fulltime church workers). He graduated from high school in 1954 and continued at Concordia for the first two years of college. In 1956, he transferred to Concordia Teachers College (CTC) – Seward, Nebraska for the final two years of undergraduate preparation for certification as a Lutheran teacher in the LCMS.

However, his graduation waited until 1959 since he supply-taught a classroom of 45 first and second graders at Bethlehem Lutheran in Houston, TX, probably his most memorable year of teaching. He enjoyed sharing numerous stories of this first year of teaching with the family, most notably about a student named Vera. Returning to CTC, Seward ended with graduation with a B.S. in elementary education in 1959. His first call was teaching grades 3, 4 and 5 at St. Paul Lutheran in Groves, TX. He also served as organist, choir director and youth counselor. In 1960, Elizabeth Londenberg came to St. Paul to teach first and second grade. A year later they were married In Waco, Tx. In 1963, Ted accepted a call to serve as principal and teacher of grades 3,4, 5 and 6 at St. John’s Lutheran in Corpus Christi, TX. One year later in 1964, he received an offer to teach physics and chemistry at Luther High School South in Chicago, IL. Since he had a special interest in these two areas during college, he accepted the offer and Ted and Liz moved to the new urban environment.

While at Luther South he taught physics, chemistry and church history. He also directed drama productions, including “The Sound of Music” and “Oklahoma!”, using his experience from working on technical crews at Concordia - Seward. He also continued his education attending night classes and Saturday workshops as well as National Science Foundation (NSF) funded summer institutes at Valparaiso, IN and several in Texas. Ted and Liz became parents with the birth of Patricia and Susan while in Chicago. In 1968, he received a call to join the faculty of Concordia College in Austin teaching physical science. Digging the car out of deep snow falls and barbecuing in snowy conditions made the call to Texas especially inviting. Shortly after arriving in Austin their son Tim was born. Ted completed the Masters Degree in Physics education at Sam Houston State – Huntsville, TX in August, 1969. While in Austin, daughter Angie was born, significantly enhancing the family’s vocal and musical talents.

Ted loved astronomy and geology. He continued graduate work and developed basic courses at Concordia to support a major in environmental science and add to courses in earth science.

While on the faculty at CTX he continued his interest in drama by directing several musicals, namely “The Sound of Music”, “The Music Man”, “The Wizard of Oz”, and “Carnival”. Teaming up with professors Hal Rutz and Jim Koerschen of the music department, the musicals became campus-wide offerings to the community. He also partnered with Dr. Lawrence Meissner in Project TEAM, an NSF funded program to improve science education in Texas elementary schools. They also led two-week summer camping trips to national parks of the western US studying the geology and ecology of the region. Ted formally retired from teaching in 2008.

Music was a constant during his ministry. Ted served as organist and choir director at several Austin churches and directed the Austin Saengerrunde Men’s chorus for twenty years. This ministry of music overflowed into the home with polka dancing, Austin Symphony concerts, and Beerthoven concerts.

Just a week before his hospitalization, Ted celebrated Christmas surrounded by his extended family with a beautiful, impromptu, candle-lit carol sing. But above all, Ted’s lasting legacy is his unwavering faithfulness to proclaim God’s message of salvation through Jesus Christ for all.

Ted is preceded in death by his parents, older brother Victor Zoch, infant twin sons James and John, and infant granddaughter Abigail Zoch.

Ted is survived by: his wife of 62 years Elizabeth (Londenberg) Zoch; daughter Patricia Powers and her children Aaron and Rachel; daughter Susan Glover, son-in-law David Glover, and their children Meghan and Elijah Layton, Alyson and Curtis Mullins, and Katelyn Glover; son Tim Zoch, daughter-in-law Wendy (Mayerhoff) Zoch, and their children Andrew and Naomi; daughter Angie Goeke, son-in-law Paul Goeke, and their children Ava, Helen, Gideon, and Judah; two great-granddaughters Ahri and Eliora Layton. He is also survived by his sister Dorothy Loewe, and her husband Roger Loewe, and numerous nieces and nephews.

"In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to support Concordia University, TX in memory of Prof. Ted Zoch." Concordia.edu/giving/

A visitation for Theodore will be held Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 10:00 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 3501 Red River St, Austin, TX 78705, followed by a funeral service from 11:00 AM. Luncheon following in the fellowship hall.