Dates
Carl received his early education at Arden Elementary School in Arden, Texas, before attending Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana, where he graduated in 1949. He went on to Texas A&M, earning a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry in 1953 and a second Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 1954. He continued his studies at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1958, and later earned a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan in 1964.
Carl began his career as an officer in the United States Army Veterinary Corps in 1958, serving his country for over two decades before retiring in 1984 with the rank of colonel. Over the course of his military service, he earned numerous distinctions and decorations.
Following his Army career, Carl returned to West Texas, where he partnered with his wife, Pat, to build a life on the land they loved. Together they ranched in Irion County, raising prize-winning registered Hereford cattle, and worked side by side until their retirement in 2019.
Carl was a dedicated member of both the Texas and American Veterinary Medical Associations, as well as the Texas and American Hereford Associations. While he carried many honors from his years of military service, the distinction he held most dear came later in life: the 2021 Region IV Environmental Stewardship Award, given in recognition of his and Pat's devoted efforts to steward and protect their land in Irion County.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Orville Carl Schlinke and Jacqueline Ruth Noelke Schlinke, and his sister, Carol Schlinke Richey.
Carl is survived by his wife, Patricia McMaster Schlinke, of San Angelo; his children, Emmett Britton Schlinke (Naomi) of Austin, TX, Carmen Schlinke Epstein (David) of Hillsdale, New York, and John Tobe Schlinke (Carol Lasch) of Providence, Rhode Island; and his grandchildren, Everett Eames Epstein (Emily Sellon) of Knoxville, Tennessee, Katherine Ann Schlinke of New York City, and Thomas James Schlinke of College Park, Maryland. He is also survived by many nephews, nieces, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on October 3 at Johnson’s Funeral Home.
Guests are invited to a lunch reception immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the E.F. Noelke Memorial Veterinary Scholarship Fund managed by the San Angelo Area Foundation https:// saaf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1355, Hospice of San Angelo https:// westtexasrehab.org/donation-form/, or Texas Agricultural Land Trust https:// www.txaglandtrust.org/?give=7XEWNRD8
Carl will be remembered as a man of discipline and devotion — to his country, his profession, his land, and above all, to Pat and their family.