Donald Paul Schultze's Obituary
Donald Paul Schultze passed away on August 20th, 2016 in San Diego, CA at the age of 97. He never fully recovered from a fall he took about a month before which required him to undergo hip replacement surgery. Donald is preceded in death by his brother, Walter Charles Schultze, and his ex-wives, Joanne Whitney and Carmen “Dusty” M. Vargas. He is survived by his niece Nancy Sackrison and her husband Bruce, his nephew Walter Schultze, and multiple of great nephews and nieces in Grand Rapids, MI. He left no children.Donald was born on August 28th, 1918 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Paul D. Schultze, a metal worker from Illinois and Jennie Eisenach of Michigan. He graduated from South High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan on June 5th, 1936 where he was an outstanding football player for the high school team. He went on to get a BSE in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan in 1942, where he also played football for the university. He joined the Navy and became a Naval Aviator on June 26th, 1943, after training at the United States Naval Air Station in New Orleans, LA, eventually becoming a flight instructor and later receiving a commercial pilot’s license in 1947. He participated in WWII and the Korean War. He left active duty in 1958 as a Lieutenant Commander after serving almost 15 years, however, he continued to serve in the Naval Reserves until 1978, achieving a rank of Commander.Once he left active duty he joined the Naval Radiological Defense Lab in San Francisco, CA while living in Burlingame, CA. In 1970, he moved from the Bay Area to San Diego and joined the Naval Undersea Services in San Diego, CA, what is now part of SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific, and worked there until 1978 when he retired as head of the department.He became a member of the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers (now American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) in 1948.Don was an avid tennis player and played until his late 80’s. He was a real gentleman, a political conservative, and a great patriot who deeply cared about his country. He was always grateful to his hard working mother for her loving care and guidance. Don was a great mentor and advisor to his friends and relatives in many disciplines, and had a major impact on many people’s lives. He was extremely loving, caring, generous, and humble. Loyal to his friends, all were always welcome in his house. He was very compassionate towards those in need and was a philanthropist at heart. The last 16 years of his life he had a very profound relationship with Ella Kozlowska de la Houssaye. He showed his love and support for her and her family and especially for her children, who became his adopted family and who brought him fulfillment and happiness until the very end. He died peacefully under the loving care of Ella.On Thursday September 8th, a rosary with viewing will be held for him at the Immaculata Church (Immaculata Catholic Church; 5998 Alcala Park; San Diego, CA, US, 92110) at 8:45 am, followed by Mass from 9:00-10:00 am. Burial will take place shortly thereafter with military honors at 11:00 am at the Miramar National Cemetery (5795 Nobel Drive; San Diego, CA 92122). Reception to follow. All are welcome to pay their respects. We all will miss him deeply.
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