Noted Texas historian, author T.R. Fehrenbach dies

Noted Texas historian T.R. Fehrenbach, the former longtime head of the Texas Historical Commission, has died. He was 88.

Lillian Fehrenbach said her husband died Sunday of congestive heart failure in San Antonio.

In 2001, Gov. Rick Perry named Mr. Fehrenbach commissioner emeritus of the state agency, which he headed from 1983 to 2001.

Mr. Fehrenbach wrote 18 nonfiction books and was a World War II and Korean War veteran. His works include Lone Star: A History of Texas and Texans and This Kind of War, which the Texas Senate once proclaimed essential reading for U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.

Mr. Fehrenbach was awarded multiple civilian honors and military decorations. He also had a San Antonio Express-News column.

He is survived by his wife, one niece and two nephews.

This story was originally published December 1, 2013 at 7:40 PM with the headline "Noted Texas historian, author T.R. Fehrenbach dies."