Truman David Schultz

Truman David Schultz slipped away peacefully on Sunday, October 20, 2024, surrounded by his family after a valiant battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Born in Milwaukee, WI on July 19, 1938 to Edwin C. Schultz and Mona J. Schultz. Cherished husband to Barbara (nee Unrath), his wife of 57 years, and treasured father of Stephanie and Liesl. Caring big brother to Franz and Winkie and fun brother-in-law, cousin and uncle.

Truman grew up enjoying nature and activities on Crooked Lake and the Bark River. His early days were spent hiking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing through the woods and fields with his family and childhood friends in the Town of Summit. A 1956 graduate of St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield, Truman then earned a degree in Landscape Architecture from UW- Madison and served as a U.S. Coast Guard reservist.

Truman and Barbara had their first date on St. Patrick’s Day in 1967. After marrying and a honeymoon in Europe, they moved to Hazelglenn Farm in October 1970. Over many years, they restored the house and barns and recently placed their 1870s Norwegian Farmstead under a conservation easement with Tall Pines Conservancy. They enjoyed teaching their daughters about the environment, taking care of various farm animals, planting trees and gardening. Truman would always be the “caboose” on their Sunday family hikes through their woods so his girls could see an unobstructive view of the trail ahead. In later years Truman enjoyed bee keeping, proudly sharing his golden bottles of honey and bee trivia with anyone who would listen.

During many summers you could find Truman on Oconomowoc Lake. As a member of the Oconomowoc Lake Club for 80 years, Truman enjoyed many years of sailing, whether on his “C” or skipping his family’s old wooden “E” scow or judging sailing races and regattas with his faithful team.

Truman’s career began at SEWRPC and then onto a landscape architect practice in Milwaukee. Waukesha County Park and Planning Commission was next, initially as a landscape architect and later as Park’s Supervisor for many years overseeing the development and maintenance of the counties golf courses, parks, ice rinks, Retzer Nature Center and Expo Center.

Truman was a past member of ASLA, the Stone Bank School Board, member and former president of Tall Pines Conservancy, longtime member and Commodore of the Oconomowoc Lake Club, “Grub Club” and member of St. Olaf’s Lutheran Church in Rubicon.

Truman was known for his charming wit, bringing laughter to those around him, and for his kindness and gentleness. Making Tom & Jerry’s at Christmas, roasting chestnuts over an open fire, setting a beautiful table, stacking firewood, growing hops, driving the Ford 8N and his joy of giving “huugs” were among his many traditions. His steadfast love of his beautiful wife and pride in his daughters was evident daily. Truman was a true gentleman. Dearly loved and friend to many, Truman had cherished friendships that lasted throughout his lifetime.

A celebration of Truman’s life will be held on Friday, November 1 at Noble Victory Memorial Chapel on the St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy Campus in Delafield with visitation at 9:30 a.m. until a Memorial Service at 11:30 a.m.

The family is most grateful for the care and compassion that the staff at Evin at Oconomowoc and Brighton Hospice extended to Truman and his family these past months as well as family and friends who helped brighten their days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Tall Pines Conservancy, Old World Wisconsin, St. Olaf’s Church or the UW-Madison Foundation and its Movement Disorders and Parkinson's Disease Research Fund.

Pagenkopf Funeral Home is serving the family. For more information, call 262-567-4457 or visit www.pagenkopf.com.