Dave Schultz Remembered

When I wrote about longtime Manchester teacher Dave Schultz on May 13 (both in my Ramblin' column in The Gazette and on a blog post here), I admired his courage.

Dave was a teacher known for being tough, yet loved by hundreds of students, former students and co-workers. And he stood in front of hundreds of them to say goodbye to teaching and to choke back tears because  he had received so much support from them as he fought aggressive esophageal cancer discovered after he had decided to retire.

Dave died at home Friday morning.

Dave and his wife, Janis, had hoped to retired to Missouri where they'd bought some land. Dave loved to hunt and fish and to build wood crafts in his spare time, all things he hoped to do more of in retirement.

As a teacher, Dave touched hundreds upon hundreds of lives. In life, he taught many a valuable lesson. In death, he will not be forgotten.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Hanson Auditorium in Manchester. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester. Inurnment will take place at a later date.

Here's is Dave's obituary:

David Michael Schultz was born on May 3, 1951 in Postville, Iowa, the son of Ronald and Wilmarie (Huinker) Schultz. He graduated from MFL High School in 1969. He then received his BA at the University of Iowa and graduated in 1973.

On July 31, 1971, Dave was untied in marriage to Janis L. Grove at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Monona, Iowa. Two sons were born to this union. Dave then taught at West Delaware in Manchester for 36 years from 1973 until his retirement in the 2009 school year. He taught Social Studies, Government, and History as well as coached baseball and golf.

Dave passed away on the morning of Friday, July 10 at his residence in the presence of his family. He was 58 years of age. Dave was a member of the United Methodist Church, the past chairman of the Delaware County Democrats, president of Friends of Music, member of the Iowa State Education Association, past president of the Northeast Iowa Education Unit Board, and active with Boy Scouts. He enjoyed making crafts in which he developed Schultz Creations. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and the outdoors.

Survivors include his wife, Janis Schultz of Manchester; his sons, Caleb and Jordan Schultz of Manchester; and two brothers, Dennis (Michelle) Schultz of Corvallis, Oregon, and Tim (Carla) Schultz of Monona, Iowa; and other family members.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents; his paternal and maternal grandparents; and his sister, Nancy Wagner.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.