Victor Edward Michalk

Victor Edward Michalk passed away on October 20, 2024, at the age of 87. He was born in Bishop, Texas on November 25, 1936, to Reinhardt and Alice Michalk. Victor was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop, where his church family also included many of his extended family members. He graduated from Concordia Lutheran High School in Austin in 1955. He then volunteered for the Draft and served in the U.S. Army for two years, spending a major part of his time in the Service close to the DMZ in Korea. Victor went on to attend college at Texas A&I in Kingsville, earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physics. After receiving his degrees and then teaching for two years at Texas A&I, he became a graduate student at Texas A&M, where he received his PhD in Physics in 1968. He joined the Physics Department at Texas State University in San Marcos, and went on to become the Department Chair, during which time he also served twice as interim Dean of Science. He retired in 2007, having taught there for 39 years.

While a student at Texas A&I, Victor met his wife Beverley. They were married on September 1, 1962. They were blessed with two children, son Jim and daughter Shelley. They moved to Austin in 1983. Victor and his family had many adventures together as they traveled to numerous areas of the US and Canada. One of his favorites was their yearly Spring Break camping trip to Big Bend National Park. He also enjoyed being together with family and friends at his lake house in Sunrise Beach… and catching the “Big Ones” in Lake LBJ.

Victor is survived by his wife of 62 years Beverley, son Jim and daughter Shelley. He also is survived by his sisters Luci Cockrell, Kathleen (Ray) Raddatz, and Nadine (Buddy) Jones, sister-in-law Sharon (Charles) Davis, and by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He is predeceased by his infant son Thomas, parents Reinhardt and Alice Michalk, sister Eunice Dunk and brother Allen Michalk.

A memorial service for Victor will be held Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Bethany Lutheran Church & Preschool, 3701 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78749.