Remembering Allan Marburger '60

What I will remember most was the genuine joy he found in helping young people. He truly cared about our Aggie students whose lives he was changing and wanted nothing in return. I feel fortunate to have known Mr. Marburger personally, and it's been an honor to work with him as he built a legacy that will touch Aggies for generations to come.

When he told me about his life, it made me realize that just because I came from a small town, it doesn't mean I am limited to small possibilities. With his inspiration, I have now obtained a life-changing opportunity with an employer that will allow me to establish a stable foundation for myself and my future family.

I believe it was Allan's mission to use everything God blessed him with to impact Texas A&M and young people. Before the first oil well was drilled on his ranch, he was already thinking about how many endowed scholarships could be established for young people. He couldn't wait to get that check to the Foundation, and most of what he received flowed straight into student scholarships for Aggies.

I knew and respected Allan in at least five different ways: as a fellow Texas Aggie, as a fellow Lutheran, through the Texas Wendish Heritage Society, as stewards of family ranches and as children of God. His generosity and the goodness in his heart are the things I will remember most about him. He helped so many people in his lifetime, especially students. His spirit will live on in all of them, and their lives and service to others will honor Allan.

It is so hard to find genuine people in this world, but Mr. Marburger was a man who cared so much about others that he chose to give back. His kindness has forever impacted me and so many others.

Allan made personal sacrifices so he could do the very thing that brought him the truest joy: give. He believed in providing life-changing opportunities for others, and it brought him more joy than any amount of worldly riches ever could. His favorite speech was Lou Gehring's famous “Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth” speech. He too believed he was the “luckiest man on the face of the earth.” I am proud to have known him and will carry memories of him and his generosity with me forever.

I enrolled at Texas A&M thinking I would be alone, and the thought of financial burdens were crushing. But receiving Mr. Marburger’s scholarship renewed my hope. Without his generosity, I couldn’t have attended Texas A&M.