(Seguin) — When it came to Seguin, Steve Tschoepe always wore his heart on his sleeve. It was that love for his community that still has folks reeling over his sudden death this past weekend.
A local realtor and former Seguin City Council member, Tschoepe is remembered for dedicating his time to several programs and charity efforts throughout the community.
Remembering her friend is Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen. Dodgen says Tschoepe’s intentions have always been to make Seguin an even better place to live, work and play.
“That was Steve. He loved our town. He loved what he did. He was committed. I mean oh my gosh, there wasn’t anything that he wouldn’t do for somebody,” said Dodgen.
Tschoepe gradated from Seguin High School in 1976. Following those years, he spent time working as a photographer and reporter at the Seguin Gazette.
After a career in the printing business, Tschoepe spent most of his recent years as a realtor at Century 21-The Hills Realty.
Tschoepe is also being remembered for his two terms on the Seguin City Council.
Tschoepe served the constituents of District 6 from 2004 to 2012.
Dodgen says his leadership roles, however, went beyond his sole responsibilities of being on the council. She says for years, Tschoepe has been a key player behind the preservation and successful operation of the Texas Theatre located on North Austin Street.
Tschoepe was determined to make sure that the Texas offered events that the entire community could enjoy, everything from music performances to community theater productions.
“I am going to miss him and I know that the Texas Theater is going to miss him terribly. He was organized and had really high standards and he wanted things to happen and he loved history. He did things for the Texas. He was always there participating in the background ensuring things ran smooth and that the theater was on track and kept up nicely and things were done and that is how he was in everything he did and that is what was so amazing about Steve. It is just a huge void — a huge void in our community and we are all still reeling from it I know,” said Dodgen.
Most importantly, Dodgen says her friend was a man of faith who operated with integrity and who always put his family first.
“He is going to be missed. He was a good good friend and I know his family is going to miss him because he was always there for them and church. We are going to miss him at Emanuel’s because he did things. He was involved and that was just him. He participated in his community because he loved it and he loved everybody and I remember him taking Betty Ann Matthies when he was on council and she was Mayor — he helped her do everything. He was her sidekick. They would drive and he would do things with her and he always tried to find solutions,” said Dodgen.
Folks who knew him would agree with Dodgen that Tschoepe simply had a key role in ensuring good things in Seguin. A big supporter of the Seguin ISD, he served on the board of directors for the Seguin Education Foundation. He was also a board member for the Seguin Conservation Society and the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce. Tschoepe is also credited for his long standing support of the Distinguished Young Women of Guadalupe County program better known in this area as Junior Miss.
Funeral services for Tschoepe will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Emanuel’s Lutheran Church.
Tschope was 65.