The City of Tomball unveiled its latest statue at the Downtown Depot Sunday, Feb. 13 after a three-month delay. The latest of three sculptures to be located at the depot is the first to feature a living Tomball legend.

The statue of Elmer Beckendorf, named “The Greatest Generation,” was unveiled during a ceremony at the depot’s gazebo last week in front of hundreds of friends, family and admirers who gathered to pay respect to a man who has had a far-reaching affect on the community.

The piece depicts Beckendorf leaning against a fence post, gazing to the north with a “Beckendorf Dairy” milk jug and dog at his feet. The recognition for Beckendorf’s influence in the agriculture industry in the Tomball area was one of many for which he could have been recognized.

He took over Beckendorf Dairy in 1947 and became one of the area’s preeminent dairy farmers.

Beckendorf, 89, has been among the most active and influential members of the community for decades in, among other areas, education and health care. He was among the founders of Tomball College, now Lone Star College-Tomball. He also was among a handful of community leaders to establish the city’s first hospital and helped establish the area’s first YMCA in 1960.

He has been a member of the Tomball Rotary Club for more than 50 years.

Throughout his life, he continued to be involved in health care and education. Beckendorf served 16 years on the Tomball College board of directors, 23 years on the Tomball ISD Board of Trustees and 35 years on the Tomball Hospital Board.

He is also a veteran of World War II.

Still, the humble Beckendorf claims he is undeserving of the honor.

“It’s exciting, but I didn’t do anything to earn this recognition,” he said. “I was just part of the community. It’s just been part of our family for many years to be part of and help develop the community the way it would benefit the most people.”

Beckendorf said that when he learned of the statue bearing his resemblance that it was a “complete surprise.” He also said he had no role in the creation of the piece.

“The Greatest Generation” was sculpted by Oklahoma-based artist Sandra Van Zandt, who also created the depot’s first two statues, that of Tomball founder Thomas Ball and a train conductor. Those statues are also located at the depot.

The Beckendorf statue was initially set to be unveiled in November, but production delays pushed the date back to February.

The cost of the statue was $40,000 and was paid for with donations of $10,000 each by the Lone Star College Foundation, the Tomball Rotary Club, Tomball Regional Hospital and the Tomball Independent School District.  Rosehill United Methodist Church paid for the plaque that sits next to the statue.

“I definitely did not do everything myself,” Beckendorf said. “It takes leadership and people who do what’s best for the community.”

Pictured, a statue of Tomball’s Elmer Beckendorf, entitled “The Greatest Generation,” was unveiled at the Downtown Depot during a ceremony Feb. 13.

Photo by Brian Walzel

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