ALBERT SCHULTZ

Al took a chance on me in 1987 when he offered a research assitantship to a new graduate student who expressed an interest in biomechanics, but actually had no clue what he was getting in to. I was fortunate to for the opportunity as I quickly learned that Al was one of the pioneers in this new field and was very highly regarded, though you would never know it talking to him. Al was very modest and just genuinely loved what he was doing. He truly felt he could use his engineering skills to...

I was a young Assistant Professor when Al joined the Mechanical Engineering faculty. He became my friend, my mentor and my advocate. I owe much to his kindness, guidance and friendship. I was very surprised but happy for him when he announced his retirement. I have thought of him many times since that time and will continue to do so. He was a great teacher, researcher and role model. I miss him dearly.

As one of Al's many graduate students, my (then) young family and I benefitted greatly from his kind advice and guidance. When my plans to focus on a gear-head research topic were dashed, Al recruited me over to biomechanics - a field I regarded with suspicion until he convinced me that Newton's laws could still be rigorously applied, even to our squishy living bodies. In the classroom and the lab, he was an effective teacher with a deep well of experience. However, I will always be most...

Dr Schultz was the most influential teacher in my life. He was dedicated to bringing out the best in each of his students and I am always proud to have been a student in his lab for over 5 years at the University of Michigan. He wholeheartedly supported my transition from engineering to medicine and I will miss him tremendously. The many lives he touched including mine are all better because of him. God bless him and his family and may his soul rest in peace.

I was a member of the UM Engineering College Executive Committee when I learned that Albert might be available to join our faculty. With the leadership of then Dean James Duderstadt and Associate Dean Charles Vest, a package was presented to Albert that he accepted, and as a bonus, he was able to bring his colleague James Ashton-Miller with him. This was one of the happiest days for me, and I might add, for the College Bioengineering Program. Over the years Albert showed us all how to...