Ron SCHULTZ

SCHULTZ, Ron 1944-2015 Proud to be a native Californian, Ron was born in Visalia to John L. Schultz and Ruby Rice Schultz in 1944. Raised and schooled in the nearby town of Exeter, he lived and worked in Germany for six months following graduation from Exeter High School in 1962, visiting the country from which his paternal forebears had emigrated in the nineteen century. Ron would pursue the history of his ancestry for the rest of his life. Ron attended the College of Sequoias in Visalia and then graduated from the University of San Francisco in 1967. In the same year he married Margaret Stroben, and they made their home in Visalia while Ron taught for Visalia Unified School District and then served in the military during the Vietnam War. On his return, after taking a degree in library science, he worked for several years for the Tulare County Library System. Margaret and he had three children--Sara, Maria, and John. In the early 1980s, Ron moved north to San Francisco to work in the library of the California College of Podiatric Medicine, where he stayed for more than twenty years. During the majority of his time there, he was head of the library, and he became well known at the College and among his fellow medical librarians for his tireless service, for his enthusiastic support of his colleagues, for his judicious championing of new ideas, and for his brilliant smile. He was a mentor to many San Francisco Bay Area librarians, remembered for his warm welcome, his passion for the profession, and his constant encouragement. In 1994, Ron met David Brown, and the two began the loving companionship and eventual marriage, in 2008, that would last until Ron's untimely death. Ron loved West Sonoma County and instilled his partisanship in David. Together they purchased land on Joy Road outside of Occidental, where they eventually built their dream home. When the College of Podiatric Medicine merged with Samuel Merritt University in 2002, Ron first remained with the newly configured library and then became librarian for Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital. He moved to Occidental, and he and David began some years of living in two places at once, Ron traveling one or two evenings every week to spend the night in Oakland, and David commuting every Friday to spend the weekend in Occidental. Ron retired from Sutter in 2004. Ron pursued his new life on Joy Road with the same drive and enthusiasm he brought to every aspect of his life. Called a "frustrated farmer and army engineer" by his spouse, he had already been raising sheep on the property and developing his beautiful garden; now he turned his attention to first knocking down the original house and then building the new house he and David had long planned. Ron acted in every role, from chief planner to evening clean-up crew of one, plunging into every decision and urging on the skilled crew. He insisted on the latest and best techniques and the finest workmanship, and he got them. Ron had been a loving and attentive father to his three children, travelling down the valley regularly to see them and supporting them as they grew to adulthood and pursued their education and their careers. He celebrated their marriages with joy and awaited the arrival of grandchildren with eager anticipation. The eventual birth of seven of the most beautiful, most brilliant, and best behaved children on the planet rewarded his wait, and Ron lavished his love on all seven without stint. Ron brought his drive and enthusiasm to the parish of St. Philip in Occidental. Lector, gardener, member of the Parish Council, innovator, and promoter, he participated in every aspect of his church and endeared himself to all. If there was a celebration going, Ron was flashing his bright smile and drawing all around him into lively conversation; if there was a leak or a breakdown, Ron was lending a hand and organizing a way to fix the problem. For many years, he faithfully worked for and generously supported the St Philip's Rural Food Program. His final gift to his beloved church will be the patronage and installation of a triptych over the sanctuary door. Ron's spouse, David, retired in the spring of 2013, and Ron and he began at last the life they had worked for, living in the house on Joy Road, supporting the community they had chosen, and enjoying the company of family and friends. Soon after, Ron, a lifelong and adamant non-smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer in a late stage. Ron quietly and bravely fought the disease, all the while continuing his active life of community support and parish participation until the very end. In the middle of January, Ron entered into hospice, and he and his beloved spouse spent his last days with the unfailing support and love of his children. He left us, certain of meeting his Lord, in the early hours of the morning on January 24th. Ron is survived by his spouse and loving companion of more than twenty years, David Brown; his mother, Ruby Bailey, of Windsor; his brother, John Schultz and his wife Fereleen, of Exeter; his former wife, Margaret Schultz, of Visalia; his daughter, Sara Schultz and her husband, Steven Nawrath, and their children, Owen and Ellie, of Sacramento; his daughter, Maria Howell, and her husband, David, and their children, Dillon and Jackson, of Three Rivers, CA.; his son, John Schultz and his wife, Amanda, and their children, Kloe, Evee, and Dixie, of Visalia; and the many friends and neighbors who loved him well. There will be a funeral mass for Ron at St. Philip's Church in Occidental on Saturday, January 31, at 1:30 p.m., followed by a reception in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the St. Philip's Rural Food Program, St Philip's Church, or to the Calvary Cemetery, both at P.O. Box 339, Occidental, CA 95465.