He was born March 4, 1936, in Leola to Arthur and Ramona Ruede Weishaar. Loren was president of the senior class at Leola High School and graduated as valedictorian in 1954. He briefly attended Northern State Teacher's College in Aberdeen before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1955. Loren was accepted into Officer's Candidate School in December 1958 and was commissioned June 19, 1959. Loren had a distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force, receiving many awards and commendations. His early career included five years at Kincheloe Air Force Base, Mich., as an electronic warfare officer on B-52s. He flew 183 missions in Vietnam in the F4E and was commanding officer of the LANTCOM Elint Center, Norfolk, Va. He retired March 1, 1977, as a Lt. Colonel after serving four years at Air Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base. While in the U.S. Air Force, he earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a master of business administration from Stanford University. He later earned a second master's degree in education from Texas State University in San Marcos.
After his retirement from the Air Force, Loren taught math at Judson High School in Converse, Texas, for six years and was the student council sponsor for several years. He was the Judson High School teacher of the year for 1979-80. He became a professor in the business department at Texas Lutheran University in 1983. While at TLU, he received the Distinguished Faculty Award. He retired in 1999. He was a gifted educator and mentor to his students. He loved his time at TLU and continued to stay in touch with former students and colleagues until his death.
Loren married the love of his life, Marion Kraemer, on Dec. 22, 1957. They had five children: Lee Andrew (deceased in infancy), Laurie, Barbara, Michelle and James. Loren and Marion were lifelong Lutherans and faithfully attended church throughout their 55 years of marriage. For the past 37 years, Loren and Marion have been members of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Universal City, Texas, where Loren served in many roles, including president of the church council, member of the building committee, usher and reader.
Loren was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Ramona Weishaar; his brother, Leland Weishaar; and his infant son, Lee Andrew Weishaar. He is survived by his loving wife, Marion; children: Laurie (Troy) Cook, Barbara Chavez, Michelle (Henry) Serry and James Weishaar; grandchildren: Andrew (Erin) Fifield, Kristin (Christopher) Herrera, Theresa (Christopher) Cook Spiess, Matthew Cook, Margaret Cook, Kimberly Serry, Michael Serry, Zachary Serry, Victoria Chavez and Russell Chavez; and great-grandchildren: Melanie Fifield, Mackenzie Fifield, Keegan Herrera, Kali Herrera, Kaycee Herrera and Caden Herrera. He is also survived by his brother, Lester (Linda) Weishaar of Rapid City; brothers-in-law: Eugene (Marilyn) Kraemer of Waco, Texas, and Carrold J. (Charlotte) Kraemer; mother-in-law, Lila Kraemer; sister-in law, Sheila Kranzler of Aberdeen;, sister-in law, Betty Carver (Steve) of New York City; and many caring nieces and nephews from around the country.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1129 Pat Booker Road, Universal City, Texas. Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas. Visitation will be Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, American Heart Association or the charity of your choice.
Please sign the guestbook at colonialuniversal.com.