Delmar Schulte

A Sub-Par Obituary for Delmar Lee Schulte

Commencement of Life: December 21, 1943

Final Flight: April 29, 2025



Dear Gentle Reader:

At unfortunate times in our lives, many of us are forced to ask, "what, really, is an obituary? Are there obligations or priorities to self... or the deceased... or others? Can it really be too long? Do we need golf jokes?" At the end of the questions, however, and after much research and contemplation of the fact that no one else volunteered for this daunting task, this author has come to the conclusion that this obituary should be like a party - in that, when shopping for the party, this author would buy Velveeta Cheese, Cheetos, and Dr. Pepper. That way, if no one comes to the party, at least all of the leftovers are foods that this author will happily consume. Thusly is this obituary written - for the consumption of others, but also enjoyable to the author should no one else want to participate. All that said, it seems that an obituary should have certain elements...

Element No. 1: A quote from the honored guest.

"Funerals are really not designed for the deceased but for the poor damn survivors who have to learn to get along." Delmar Schulte - April 2025.

Element No. 2: An acknowledgment of the passing of the honored guest, and quotes from those who knew him, or knew of him.

It is with a sadness, but also acknowledgment of a life fully lived, that this author informs you that on April 29, 2025, Del Schulte headed West for the last time, joining the love of his life - Dianne - who predeceased him by approximately six weeks. Del's was a life complete... and he knew it... every drop squeezed out, leaving nothing to chance, or accepting chance as his ally.

Some recent quotes from close friends and family: "What a waste of a life," said no one. "If you have one drop of whiskey left in your bottle, use it to toast Del Schulte," said Ernst Hemingway. "Del was the best of times, even in the worst of times," said Chuck Dickens. "If a man finds his own worth, and then spends that on enjoyment with others, that man will die rich in spirit." Mark Twayn.

Element No. 3: A brief narrative of the history of the honored guest

Element 3.1: The Early Years...

Although none of this narrative will do justice to the honored guest, it is, none-the-less, an obligatory part of any standard obituary. Del was named Delmar Lee Schulte on the day he was born in Mountain Lake, MN on December 21, 1943 to Harold and Martha Schulte, who owned the only bar to be allowed in that most Mennonite of towns, and where those patrons nicknamed Del as "Tod" as he toddled through the bar. Tod was one of five children, being predeceased by his siblings Stanley ("Corkie") Schulte, Marcella ("Pixie") Zea, Rodney ("Gus") Schulte; and his nephew Lance Henrickson. Tod will be remembered by his surviving Schulte + Walters + Adam family in such faraway lands as Minnesota survived by Bernice (and Bob) Henrickson in Colorado, Gus' Mary in Butterfield, and many fun-loving nieces and nephews.

Element 3.2: The Youthful Exuberant Transitory Years when you are an adult, but don't know how to act like one...

While living in Comfrey with his uncle Swede's family and working at the Mobil station, Tod was also the high school class valedictorian, and met his future wife, prom-queen Mary Callanan, at Comfrey High, graduating in 1961 as the couple-du-jour. After a few years of college, Tod tricked his brother Stanley into heading to California, where Tod worked as a "computer" for Jet Propulsion Labs sending rockets into space with a slide rule. After a couple years then working for The City of Los Angeles public works department, and converting Mary Callanan into a Schulte in 1963, Del then applied for the CHP, entering the academy in January 1966. Graduating as valedictorian from the CHP Academy in March of 1966, Del first rode Harleys on the Golden Gate bridge for a couple of years before moving to Roseville, California.

Element 3.3: Flying and Family Appropriately Combined in one Paragraph...

Del learned to fly in 1970 (temporarily right-side-up) in his Taylor Craft that he rebuilt in his Roseville garage with his cousin-in-law Johnny Keilty, using mostly bailing wire and gum. The Taylor Craft was then flown to Auburn airport and Del later obtained his airman's certificate (pilots license). The rest is literally history, including: tens of thousands of flight hours; every certification and type rating known to mankind; dozens of aircraft flown rightside up and upside down; friend to everyone; hero to many; and, probably most importantly to this author, father and step-father to all of: Michelle Harris (pre-Deceased); Steve & Debbie Schulte; Michael Schulte & Margarett Wilkins; Lisa & Josh White; Jenifer & Jason Duenas; and Jory Gordon & Alex Mack; and not to not-mention starring as "Grandpa Tod" and/or "Papa" to 14 very special grandkids.

Element 3.4: Laying the Foundation for the Rest of His Life

In 1974, Del first applied for the CHP's new flight program, being chosen to fly "Air-11" out of Brawley, California. Del's efforts established the CHP air operations as a long-term value, and a model for other states to follow. In 1980, Del headed to Sacramento to fly a desk and lead the Air Operations unit in Sacramento, and then, in 1986, Del transferred to the CHP Flight Operations in Redding, California - at Benton Airpark, eventually retiring in 1997. Finding "retirement" to be unfavorable, Del immediately began flying a Cal-Fire OV-10, as a contractor to Dyncorp, for whom he worked for 15 years. By the time Del retired from Dyncorp, he had accumulated approximately 12 billion hours of flight time, more than almost every other person except those with more hours.

Element 3.5: Some of the Other Many Things better left for the Movie Version

In his spare time, armed with the gift of approximate knowledge of many things, and irrational confidence, Del embarked on numerous adventures, including flying multiple ovals at the Reno Air Races, overseeing the air operations for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, protecting fish on behalf of Australia, flying a tiny little airplane to Hawaii without going pee once, providing numerous check-rides and test flights, tinkering on projects, and surviving the teaching of his daughter Michelle how to drive, as well as enjoying his family and friends.

Element 4.0: A Meaningful Conclusion that attempts, yet fails, to encompass the value of the life and memories of the honored guest.

To summarize, there is really no way to summarize the life of Del Schulte. It was extraordinarily unique, and one for the books. If you flew with him, you knew. It was one-on-one time, and you were the center of his universe. Nothing ever felt better. From beginning to end, Del was an exceptional and unique person, whose "triple-e" life was one big adventure - filled with exploits, escapades, and excitements. In short, he won... and he knew it.

- Eponymous