David Schmatjen

David Leroy "Doc" Schmatjen passed away on October 22, 2025 in Lake Oswego, Oregon. He was 86 years old.

The youngest of six children, he was born on May 9, 1939 in Portland, Oregon, to John D. Schmatjen and Esther (Karber) Schmatjen. After completing his Bachelor of Science degree at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas, he began graduate studies at Kansas State University, leaving prior to completion to join the United States Air Force.

He served his country from 1963 to 1969, flying cargo planes in the Vietnam war, and retiring from the USAF as a Captain. He then transitioned to a distinguished career as a commercial airline pilot, flying first for Western Airlines and then for Delta. While stationed at Travis AFB in 1966, he met and fell in love with Judith Ross. They were married in Hawaii on January 20, 1968, and raised their family in Davis, California.

David pursued many interests over his lifetime, including woodworking, golf, and world travel. He had a particular love for classic country music, spy novels, and "intended" puns. At the end of his life, he endured a seven-year struggle with Lewy Body Dementia that slowly took the function of his body and mind out of his control. His loved ones and caregivers were truly blessed that he remained his same gentle, pleasant, and incredibly witty self right through the end. He was a lifelong Christian and his family has been given strength and comfort knowing he is with Jesus.

David is survived by his loving wife, Judith Schmatjen of Lake Oswego; daughter Jill Arena of Lake Oswego; daughter Heidi Noon and her husband Steven Noon of Irvine, California; son Marc Schmatjen and his wife Sandra Schmatjen of Rocklin, California; and six wonderful grandchildren who brought their "Papa Doc" great joy.

David also leaves behind two sisters: Peggy Spada of St. Paul, Oregon, and Janis Thiessen of Dallas, Oregon.

"He has not gone west, but merely flown ahead into the sunrise - where horizons have no end and skies are always clear." - unknown

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 10, 2026 at The Ironlight in Lake Oswego. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to either the Lewy Body Dementia Association (lbda.org), or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (michaeljfox.org).