Kenneth E. Schultz

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Kenneth E. Schultz, a man of wisdom, humor, and intelligence. Ken was committed to giving back to his country and community through public service. He was an avid reader and a lifelong learner. He had a passion for travel and the outdoors and cherished time spent with family and friends.

Ken was born in Chicago to Paul and Rosadelle Schultz. As a child, he moved to Stevensville, Michigan. He grew up on a farm with his three brothers and worked in the local grocery store at age 14. Ken’s interests were always complex and varied. He loved taking things apart, even rebuilding the engine in his first car.

In high school, he was an expert scuba diver. He started a business, Triton Divers, in his parents’ basement, to rent equipment and sell “air” to other divers.

Ken was a National Merit Scholar. He completed his BS in Electrical Engineering at Purdue University and served as Cadet Commander of ROTC, overseeing 6,000 cadets. One of his friends noted that he was always “sharp as a whip and leader of the pack”. After ROTC, Ken spent twenty years in the Air Force, earning an MBA and a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering specializing in Missile Guidance and Control. Over his career, he worked on space tracking for NORAD in Colorado Springs and Alaska, optimizing C-121 technology in California, leading Software Engineers in Ohio, and project management of complex systems in Massachusetts. After leaving the Air Force, Ken held senior positions at Digital Equipment Corporation, MITRE Corporation, and Raytheon.

Having been a Scout himself, Ken became a scout leader in Ohio and Massachusetts for many years. Ken received the Silver Beaver award for his distinguished service. Scouts remember his positive influence on their direction in life and his precise backcountry preparation. Adult leaders remember his fast reaction time in emergencies. Ken was proud his two sons were Eagle Scouts, and he instilled a love of camping and the outdoors in all his children with many trips in the family motorhome. In retirement, Ken and his wife Beverly bought another RV in which they traveled 175,000 miles covering 49 of the 50 states. They continued to travel throughout their life, including trips to Hawaii, China, much of Europe, the Middle East, and India.

Ken loved their house on the lake and being there with his family and friends. He was in the church choir for 35 years, and a board member of numerous non-profits. Ken had an encyclopedic brain for trivia. He loved puns and the laughs they would bring to those around him. He lived life to the fullest, always finding a reason to smile. In his last years, he appreciated the support of friends and family.

Ken was a loving husband to Beverly Benson Schultz for over 60 years, and their time together was always an adventure. He loved his children, grandchildren, and family. Ken is survived by his wife Beverly and by their children Rick Schultz (Tricia) of Aspen, Colorado; Melissa Adams (Tom) of Williamsburg, Massachusetts; and Michael Schultz (Jennifer) of Westford, Massachusetts; and by grandchildren Amanda Adams, Neil Adams, Kyla Schultz, and Owen Schultz. He is also survived by his brothers John Schultz and Robert Schultz of Carrollton, Georgia, and his many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish can donate to the Employee Assistance Fund of the Huntington, 55 Kent Lane, Nashua, NH 03062.

“But since it falls unto my lot

That I should go and you should not, I’ll gently rise and softly call,

Good night and Joy be with you all.”

-Irish blessing