April 29, 2024- The Boerne Independent School District inducted the Boerne’s Best Distinguished Alumni Class of 2024 during a luncheon at The Clubs at Cordillera Ranch. This year’s honorees are Dr. C. Clifford Wendler (BHS, 1935), Jeff Fincke (BHS, 1972), and Mike Fincke (BHS, 1974), with the Benefactor Award being presented to Dr. Thomas Price.
This is the fifth class of Boerne’s Best inductees, with the first being enshrined in the class of 2020. Boerne's Best inductees are individuals who have graduated from Boerne ISD at least 10 years ago or later, have achievements that set them above and beyond the standard in their profession, and have achievements that set them above and beyond the standard in community service.
“This year’s Boerne’s Best class is absolutely extraordinary,” said Boerne ISD Athletic Director and Boerne’s Best Chair, Stan Leech. “This year’s inductees represent the best that BISD has to offer. The contributions from this immensely talented group are second to none. We are very excited to welcome these legendary alumni to Boerne’s Best.”
DR. C. CLIFFORD WENDLER
Dr. C. Clifford Wendler’s family roots are traced back to the early 1850’s, when the pioneer Wendler and Luckenbach families settled in the area. Dr. Wendler served in the Army for five and a half years during World War II, and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
After the war, he returned to IBM in Dallas and later joined the management staff of Texas Instruments. He took a leave of absence to obtain a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. After receiving his doctorate, he became a professor in the School of Business at SMU in Dallas.
Dr. Wendler retired and spent much of his time painting and was an accomplished artist. He was a lifetime member of St. Helena's Episcopal Church, and enjoyed his church activities. He was founder, Chairman of the Board, and President of the Boerne Cemetery Foundation. In this capacity, he devoted many years to the restoration and improvement of the Boerne Cemetery, as well as obtaining a stable financial base for perpetual care of the cemetery.
Dr. Wendler is a 1935 graduate of Boerne High School. He passed away on April 22, 2015 at the age of 97.
JEFF FINCKE
Jeff Fincke is a descendant of one of the early families of Kendall County. He has served Kendall County for over 55 years both as a volunteer and an employee. Fincke has served Kendall County as a member of the Boerne Volunteer Fire Department for 40 years, including 28 years as Chief, as well as Kendall County EMS Administrator for 42 years, including roles as Emergency Management Coordinator and Fire Marshal. Fincke was instrumental in beginning the annual EMS Christmas breakfast, a tradition that lasted for 24 years.
Fincke spent 33 years with the Castle Hills Fire Department, with most of that experience as Captain.
He served as a Strike Team Leader with STRAC (South Texas Regional Advisory Council on Trama), where he responded to dangerous storms and fire events, including Hurricane Dolly and Hurricane Ike. During Hurricane Katrina, Fincke received evacuees from Louisiana at the shelter in Boerne.
Fincke, a 1972 graduate of Boerne High School, was a four-year letterman for the Greyhounds Football Team, including serving as a captain during his senior year. He was in the last senior class to attend the old Boerne High School, which today is Boerne Middle School North, and was in the first class to graduate from the new Boerne High School.
MIKE FINCKE
Mike Fincke, like his brother Jeff, is a descendant of one of the early families of Kendall County. Fincke has lived a life of service, including 35-years with the Boerne Volunteer Fire Department as a Captain, Assistant Chief, Chief, and President, as well as 38-years as a professional Firefighter with the City of Castle Hills as Lieutenant and then Assistant Chief. Upon his retirement from Castle Hills, Fincke served as Kendall County Commissioner Precinct 1.
Fincke was instrumental in beginning the Boerne Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry, as well as serving on the Berges Fest Board of Directors, including several years as President. He also was an early member of the Centurions Club and played a large role in beginning the Boerne 4th of July fireworks show, and was an EMT in Kendall County.
He has been a strong supporter of the Boerne ISD athletic program, even serving as a volunteer statistician and spotter for the Greyhounds football team.
Fincke, a 1974 graduate of Boerne High School, was a four-year letterman with the Greyhounds Football Team.
DR. THOMAS PRICE
Former Boerne ISD Superintendent Dr. Thomas Price is this year’s Benefactor Award recipient. Dr. Price currently serves as Superintendent Emeritus and will retire at the end of the school year after seven years of service to the BISD community and 37 years in public education, including 17 years as a Superintendent of Schools.
During Dr. Price’s tenure as Boerne ISD Superintendent, the district has grown by nearly 3,000 students to almost 11,000. He oversaw the opening of three new campuses, as well as the passage of the 2022 Bond that will result in Viola Wilson Elementary School opening in 2024, along with additions at both high schools, renovations at other campuses, and other facility updates needed for a fast growth district.
Under Dr. Price’s leadership, Boerne ISD was Academically Rated an “A” three times by the Texas Education Agency, received an “A” by the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas in six consecutive years, earned the Texas State Comptroller’s Transparency Star, was named the Best Small School District in Texas by the H-E-B Excellence in Education Foundation, as well as named a Top Workplace by the San Antonio Express-News. In addition, Dr. Price was named Regional Superintendent of the Year during his tenure in BISD.
To view the induction video, please see below.
