David F. Schlothauer

David F. Schlothauer

David F. Schlothauer of Westport, Massachusetts, passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2009, in Charlottesville, Virginia, after a valiant struggle against cancer.

Born on March 3, 1918, in Fort Morgan, Colorado, to Henry and Julia (Siechwart) Schlothauer, he was preceded in death by brothers Alex, Henry, and Carl; and sisters, Mollie Greb, Mary Ostwald, and Amelia Brautigam.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley (Norton); a son, James "Jay" Schlothauer and his wife, Gretchen Ellis; a daughter, Julie Pickering; granddaughters, Lily and Molly Schlothauer, Laura Pickering, and Emily Pickering Collins and her spouse, Andrew; two great- grandchildren, James and Margo Collins. Many nieces and nephews are part of his loving family.

Schlothauer, a 1940 graduate of Colorado State University, was undefeated in field events, Hammer Throw and Weight Throw and AAU Champion in the Hammer. He trained for the 1940 Olympics that were cancelled. At age 80, his interest in competing was revived and he joined the Masters Division of USA Track and Field Events. He won gold medals in national indoor and outdoor events. He holds the Weight Throw world record and was named Field Event Athlete of the Year at age 90.

He was a World War II Navy pilot squadron leader of the ASW Black Cats. Former Executive Director of AMVETS, Eisenhower named him to the Committee to Employ the Handicapped and the Secretary of Labor's Advisory Board. A management post with the National Automobile Dealers was followed by employment as Senior Vice-President of the L.G. Balfour Company in Attleboro, Massachusetts, with retirement in 1985.

He was founder of the Pride Program and President of the Barker Foundation. A member of the Dean's Advisory Committee at the CSU College of Business, he was named Honor Alumnus in 1975. He was a member of the Defense Orientation Association, Attleboro's YMCA, City Planning Board, Chairman Master Plan Committee, and City Republican Chairman. He served on the vestry of Truro Episcopal Church in Fairfax, Virginia, All Saints' Church in Attleboro, and St. Andrew's by-the Sea in Little Compton, Rhode Island, where he was Chairman of the Long Range Planning and Building Committee and supervised building the new church. Memberships include SCORE, the Acoaxet Club, Elephant Rock Beach Club, Westport River Watershed Alliance, Sigma Nu fraternity, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Interment of ashes will be at St. Andrew's by-the-Sea.

A service for the celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

Remembrances would be kindly accepted at St. Andrew's by-the-Sea, P.O. Box 491, Little Compton, RI 02837.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.