Vincent W. Soorholtz, an engineer, Air Force veteran, and longtime Austin resident who spent 15 years managing a failure analysis laboratory at Motorola, passed away at the age of 79 on November 2, 2026, according to legacy.com.
The veteran engineer’s life spanned from rural Iowa farming roots to decades of technological and community work in Texas. Born in Marshalltown on March 31, 1947, to Warren and Virginia Morr Soorholtz, he grew up harvesting corn, soybeans, and hay on the family farm near Melbourne, legacy.com reported.
After moving to Dallas at age eight, he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1965 and enrolled in The University of Texas at Austin’s Engineering School, as detailed by legacy.com.
As the Vietnam draft approached, Soorholtz enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving state-side and in Thailand to repair electronics, according to legacy.com. Upon his discharge, he returned to Austin, completed his Electrical Engineering degree, and married Yvonne Rech in October 1976.
After graduating in 1977, he took a position in North Austin with Texas Instruments before transitioning to Motorola, where he eventually managed a failure analysis laboratory, legacy.com reported. Echovita.com noted that he passed away in Dallas at age 79.
| Milestone | Year / Date | Location / Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | March 31, 1947 | Marshalltown, Iowa |
| High School Graduation | 1965 | Thomas Jefferson High School, Dallas |
| Marriage | October 1976 | Yvonne Rech |
| Retirement | 2008 | Austin, Texas |
| Passing | November 2, 2026 | Age 79, Dallas, Texas |
Following his retirement in 2008, Soorholtz dedicated his time to volunteering with Caregivers and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul at St. William Catholic Church, legacy.com reported. Between 2014 and 2017, he welcomed five grandchildren—Mark, Paul, Nate, Eleni, and Genevieve.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Yvonne Rech Soorholtz, his siblings Dave Soorholtz (Shelly) and Janet Clawson (Rob), and his children Nicholas (Angie), Adam, and Rachel (Gab), according to legacy.com and echovita.com. He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant son, Nathan Mark Soorholtz.
A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 20, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. William Catholic Church in Round Rock, with a reception to follow, as stated by legacy.com and echovita.com. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. William Catholic Church or a charity of choice.
