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The Jan. 17 death of historian, educator, and ethnic culture promoter Robert H. Thonhoff stirred the memories of many area residents who knew him.
Local historians and history buffs lead the list of those who remember working on various projects with this longtime resident of Karnes County.
Thonhoff authored a number of books on Texas history, focusing on events and locations often missed by other books about the Lone Star State.
“I really admired him,” Wilson County historian Maureen Liles said. “He wrote adult books and helped me write children’s books on the same subjects. He was happy children could read about our history.”
She recalled that Thonhoff was particularly dedicated to learning about the area’s Spanish history.
Another author, Mary Forister — a former Wilson County resident who now lives in Austin — remembers meeting Thonhoff in the late 1970s.
“We kept in touch and later talked about our books that we had published,” she said, recalling that he was very interested in the way she wrote a book about her ancestors.
“He was just a magnificent team person,” said LaJuana Newnam-Leus, former president of the Wilson County Historical Society. “He was an important person on our research team who laid the foundation for compiling our history and allowed us to go forward.”
She considers Thonhoff’s Texas Connection with the American Revolution to be his most popular book. The book details how Spanish Texas aided the American colonies in their revolt against Great Britain.
Tom Castaños, director of interpretation with Alamo Trust, Inc., said Thonhoff opened his eyes by connecting Texas to the American Revolution and bringing to life the Spanish presidios.
“I often referred to his many books, both authored and edited,” Castaños said. “His knowledge as well as the voice with which he wrote pulled the reader into the narrative.”
He said he will miss both Thonhoff’s guidance and his fraternity.
“He was a cherished resource for those of us trying to help others understand the complex tapestry of Spanish Texas,” Castaños said.
Genny Kosub Kraus and her son, Dr. Matthew Kraus, “community champions” of the Polish Heritage Center at Panna Maria, remember Thonhoff as more than a historian. They both became acquainted with him through the annual Texas Folklife Festival more than 40 years ago.
“Bob was the MC to announce all the performing groups for Stage 5,” Genny recalled. “We all got to know him as ‘Professor Katzenjammer.’”
Wearing lederhosen, an Alpine hat, and a long tie with photos of festival performers, Thonhoff as his alter ego, the “Professor,” introduced the various ethnic dances at the Institute of Texan Cultures for more than three decades.
“Bob’s genuine smile and great sense of humor always warmed up the audience for each performance,” said Genny, who directs the Mazurka Polish Dancers of San Antonio. “He was a master of his craft and would achieve this with enthusiasm, entertaining energy, and festival spirit. What a fabulous dancer he was, as well!”
Dr. Kraus, a member of Der Deutsch Volktanze Verein von San Antonio (The German Folkdance Association of San Antonio), describes Thonhoff as “an avid proponent of the proliferation and preservation of Texas cultures and Texas history.”
Dr. Kraus said they crossed paths at many cultural and historical events.
“We were thrilled when a new discovery was made; we enjoyed a peace when an endangered or rare artifact or knowledge was finally properly preserved,” Dr. Kraus said. “We both valued the idea that any young person in our presence may be inspired to carry the torch of preservation.”
Services were held for Thonhoff Jan. 22. See page 9A for his obituary.
Books by Robert Thonhoff
Among the histories Robert H. Thonhoff authored are:
•The Texas Connection with the American Revolution, which chronicles Spanish support of American independence via Texas
•El Fuerte del Cibolo, telling about a fort built on Cibolo Creek to protect the Spanish colonial ranches between San Antonio and Goliad
•Forgotten Battlefield of the First Texas Revolution, which introduces many readers to the 1813 Battle of Medina, the biggest battle fought in Texas
•Camp Kenedy, Texas, providing an account of the World War II prisoner-of-war camp in Karnes County.
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