Henry Abraham Wertheimer was born May 28, 1928 to Rose and Max Wertheimer. A second generation Houstonian, Wertheimer was raised and graduated from San Jacinto High School in 1944. He entered Rice University where he majored in biology and chemistry. After his graduation from Rice in 1948, he entered pharmacy school at the University of Texas and completed his degree in 1950.
Wertheimer came to Rosenberg in October of 1958 as the pharmacist at the Shaffer Pharmacy. The following year, he purchased the business which he continued to operate for 31 years, inspiring numerous youth who worked for him to seek similar careers.
Wertheimer served as a member of the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees from 1969 to 1981, including eight years as president. He strongly believed that education leads to self-supportive citizens. “It is through a quality educational system that we develop our leaders. A good public education system is what keeps our country running.”
Wertheimer went above and beyond the duties and obligations of a board member. If there was a field day, an art fair, a choir performance, any student event, he was there! He encouraged faculty to sponsor and promote student activities that would enrich and expand upon classroom instruction. He believed that each child had a talent. Wertheimer practiced the pronunciation of each graduating student. He did not want any mistakes on that special day. Pronouncing the name correctly and proudly proclaimed that person had achieved his or her goal.
Wertheimer helped fund the A. W. Jackson Elementary School breakfast program. He also created an after-school math tutorial for the first and second graders of that school, which he and his volunteers conducted at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. When the days grew cold and the church could not afford to heat the classrooms, Wertheimer and his volunteers simply moved the tutorials to his place of business.
While serving as a Board Trustee, the school district expanded with the addition of Huggins Elementary, Ray Elementary, George JH and Terry HS. From his study of the area demographics, he realized that Houstonians would cross the county line into Fort Bend County. In preparation, he advocated purchasing land even if it would not be needed for ten years. In the late 1970's, he was an advocate for technology integration into the educational programs.
Wertheimer was awakened many a night with a phone call from a parent with a sick child. He would go to the pharmacy, get the necessary medications and take it to their home. His mission was to always provide medical assistance. If a child was in need of a doctor or a dentist, he would find an agency, an organization, or an individual that could provide financial means to secure the necessary medical attention. More often than not, he paid all or some of the bill.
Wertheimer employed many students in his place of business. If a student came to him seeking employment and he did not have a job, he sought out individuals or businesses that would hire them. Wertheimer also funded all or part of many students’ college education.
Wertheimer was actively involved in many county and community organizations. He served as Rosenberg’s mayor from 1986 to 1988. He was also a board member of Congregation Beth Veshurun, Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Service and Hillel. He was a long-time member of the Rosenberg-Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce and the Rosenberg Rotary Club. He was also a frequent volunteer at the Jewish Retirement Center and Hospital, Meal on Wheels and the Food Bank.
He taught classes at the University of Houston College of Pharmacology for over a decade. The University bestows a fellowship each year in his name.
A dedicated husband and father, Wertheimer and his wife, Sharla, raised four children and have ten grandchildren.
Wertheimer never saw his actions as anything special. He felt blessed that he was given the intellect, the finances and a supportive family that allowed him to serve others. In his faith, there are seven levels of giving. The highest level is giving anonymously, not seeking praise or recognition because one should help others. Always and without waiver, Wertheimer lived his life in the seventh level of giving. It is with great pride and honor that Wertheimer Middle School will continue his legacy.