Rory Duane Schultz

Rory Duane Schultz, age 63, of Red Hook, NY passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 3,
2025 at his home in the Heatherwood Retirement Community in Burke, VA. He was born at
Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, NY to the late Robert and Isobel Schultz.
Rory grew up in Red Hook, NY where he graduated from the Red Hook Central School District.
He grew up enjoying his family, playing the saxophone, and performing in the theater. Rory
attended Bethany College, Eisenhower College, and the University of Denver. He studied
International Relations, Political Science, and of course, Theater.
Rory was an incredible public servant, mentor, and role-model who had a distinguished
multi-decade career with the Federal government, working at various organizations, from the
Department of the Treasury to ultimately retiring from the Department of Agriculture in 2020.
Rory was an ACT-IAC Fellow, a graduate of the Partners Program, and a Government Chair for
the Voyagers and Associates Programs. Rory was a leader in the Federal Information
Technology workspace and a big advocate for government/industry collaboration. Rory was
known for hosting Happy Hours that encouraged Feds and their Industry partners to get to know
one another and find ways to make government information technology work better. He
mentored and encouraged many others to do the same. His legacy will live on.
Rory was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Isobel Schultz, his older brother Rob
Schultz, and his brother-in-law Richard Blakney.
He is survived by his older sister, Cheryl Blakney; nephew, Jason Blakney; niece, Janel Blakney,
and their spouses and children.
Rory was married to Jane Blume, and although they divorced, they remained close friends.
Jane and her significant other, James (Jimmy), cared for Rory throughout his sickness until his
death. Rory and Jane shared custody of many wonderful dogs who will miss him but have a
warm and loving home with Jane and Jimmy.
Rory was a special human being, and a friend to all he met. Rory had four great loves: cigars,
beer, his dogs, and the New York Football Giants.
A celebration of Rory's life will be conducted at a later date. It will be Rory's final Happy Hour, a
fitting tribute to the vehicle Rory used to bring people together. Details will be provided on
Facebook, Instagram, and through the ACT-IAC Fellows network.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) at
https://afac.org/donate-funds/, and the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) at
https://alexandriaanimals.org/donate-to-the-awla/.