"High Flight"
Oh! I have slipped the surly bounds of earth, and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds -- and done a hundred things you have not dreamed of --
Wheeled and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence.  Hov'ring there I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue, I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace.  
Whereever lark, or even eagle flew -- and while with silent lifting mind I've trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.
by Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee, No 412 squadron FCAF, 1941.

Mike's dry, blunt, and mischievious Iowa sense of humor was ledgendary in our office.  There were many times during our hurricane deployments that he would pull a practical joke at the absolute right time to break the tension that was always buildling. 

Even though I was his boss, I never lost my turn in the que as a recipient of his humor.  I'll miss that honest, straightforward, and courageousness that accompanied his humor.
Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District

Susan - I was very saddened to hear of Mike's passing.  I remember the years we worked together fondly.  I worked with him at PWD Jacksonville in Bldg. 902 at NAS JAX from 1986-1988 and 1990-91.  I always enjoyed working with Mike and stopping by to hear what jokes he had pulled on John Parks, Mike Wadel, Bob Taylor Fred Farrell or Armand Nasuti (as an Architect, Armand was often the target of Mike's jokes).  My son Bryan now works at Jax District COE and he also enjoyed working with Mike.  Mike had a great outlook on life and certainly made any tough times at work pass with a smile on our faces.

What a shock it was to learn of Mike's untimely passing from an ultralight mishap.  It was just a week prior to this tragedy happening I remember waving good bye to Mike as I left your lovely property in Bradford County from training the dogs. What a fun time we had too! Like my father, flying became an important hobby that Mike pursued with a passion. Another pleasant memory I have of Mike was watching him make an impressive smooth landing with one of his ultralight planes.  He had a big smile on his face as he brought the aircraft to rest in front of the hanger. I hope his last flight to heaven was just as smooth! Godspeed Mike until we meet again!

Susan - Mike was a good friend of mine. I have since moved to New Orleans with the Corps. Mike worked with me on several disasters while I was in charge of the EOC in Jacksonville.  He always kept us “upbeat” with his wit and humor during the sometimes long & stressful days. Mike was the "best of the best" and it was my honor & privilege to be his friend. He will be truly missed by all.

Statement read at Iowa memorial service May 1:

Memories of a Man in Motion

I first met Mike Schultz after I had started dating his little sister, Audrey.

It’s always a bit awkward for the boyfriend to meet the big brother—or, in Audrey’s case, one of the brothers. But, despite a strong dose of the Schultz teasing gene, Mike was pretty easy to get along with. At the time I met him, about 30 years ago, he was working for the Corps of Engineers and lived in Davenport, and he had a boat which he used for water skiing.

I don’t recall the exact date, but on a warm Saturday in the early 1980s, I found myself floating in a boat on a quiet inlet of the Mississippi River with my girlfriend and her oldest brother. It was my first time on skis, and it showed. Elegance and grace—these are not words that ever were applied to me now or then.

On my first run, I fell over almost instantly. After some words of advice from Mike I was able to get up on the skies, but when I finally managed to stand on the skis and Mike went around the first turn, I literally sat on the water, riding both the water skies and my butt around the corner. Jesus walked on water, but I used it as a chair. Give me credit, I suppose, for not falling as I sat on the water, but really.

Anyway, I also wore shorts for this skiing outing—I didn’t have swim trunks with me at college—and forgot to take my wallet out before my grand skiing adventure. Despite the spills, I didn’t lose it, and when I took out my wallet once I was back in the boat, both Audrey and her brother were very amused. Still, Mike was nice about my skiing, or as nice as a Schultz can be under the circumstances. The teasing must not have been too bad, because I remember it as an incredibly fun day.

Mike could do that—make the mundane unusually fun.

When we think of him, we’ll hear his teasing slow speech, and see his slightly lopsided toothy grin. Like his father, he liked to get the crowd laughing.

Anyway, some months later there came a weekend when Mike needed a “third” for water skiing. I don’t remember why, but Audrey was not available. However, she had a suggestion.

She had a college friend, a classmate and study buddy who Audrey had met a couple of years before during freshman orientation. Audrey notes that she and this friend—Sue—got along well right off the bat when they met. They had a lot in common. Iowa country girls, they both had active senses of humor, farmer fathers and nurse mothers.

And, as it would turn out, they both got along really well with Mike. When Audrey couldn’t be the “third” for water skiing, she suggested instead her friend Sue. It must have been a fun water skiing outing. Later, Mike asked Sue out on a date.

And, again as experiences with Mike often become, that first date was a doozey. There are all kinds of jokes about the boyfriend who “runs out of gas” on a first date, only Mike really did run out of gas on his and Sue’s date. That would have been exciting enough, except at the time, Mike was piloting a small airplane.

Sue came back to campus from that date clearly impressed. She had gotten along well with Mike … and was really glad that Mike had demonstrated skill at gliding a small aircraft into a bean field.

Sue has always been a talker, and it wasn’t long before one of her favorite topics was Audrey’s older brother. Audrey and I got married first, but it wasn’t long before Mike and Sue were hitched—and Mike did it his way—quickly, to the point, without a lot of fanfare. Mike and Sue’s wedding invitations went out after the ceremony had taken place, and looked just like wedding invitations always do, except for the final line added, of course, by Mike—PS. You missed it.

Well, Mike could be a dynamo. He was a creature of the air, a man in motion. Whether skimming across the waters of the Mississippi River, gliding into a bean field landing or putt-putting around a farm in Jefferson County with some family members in a parachute plane, Mike liked to be on the go.

Now, he’s gone. As Sue says, he was taken on Easter, a day of resurrection and new beginnings. A time to think of new life. In one sense, Sue and all of us will have two days to mourn Mike in the future—April 24 each year, and whenever Easter comes around. But, while crying is good today, instead of two days to be sad, let’s think of them as two days to call Mike to mind and have a good laugh.

In sudden, heartbreaking tragedies like this, there is the tendency to find comfort in a line like, well, he died doing what he loved. I think he loved Sue and died doing what he liked. Again, as Sue noted, previous tragedy has taught this family that you need to love those you’re with while you’re with them because you never know how much time you have. A gust of wind and the world can change.

It’s some comfort that Sue also says that, like all marriages, while theirs had its ups and down, there were many more good times than bad. It was hard to have a bad time with Mike around.

And, as they say about cowboys, symbolically at least, he died with his boots on.

By chance, Sue picked up some cheap movies form Wal-Mart to watch Easter weekend. One is “Where the Red Fern Grows,” a great dog movie in which a dog dies defending his master. Where the dog is buried, a red fern, symbol of love grows. Sue says she had a good cry when she watched that movie—and she’s thinking of planting a red fern on a farm in Florida.

Well, after this Easter tragedy, another teasing Schultz is helping George make the crowd above laugh by giving Saint Peter a hard time. Mike packed a lot of life into his 53 years, but if it were up to us, we would wish for many more.

Godspeed, pilot Mike. In Heaven, may the waters always be smooth for skiing, the winds be gentle and your plane’s gas tank always be full.

Susan, I am so sorry for your loss.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Susan,
I was so sorry to hear about your husband's accident.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Susan,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.  I did not know Mike, however, I know he must have been a wonderful man and will be dearly missed.  Have a safe trip to Iowa and we will be here fro you when you return.  May God be in your heart....

Susan, I'm so sorry for your loss.  I didn't know Mike well but he was also so helpful when P&P needed him.  I was at the field this week and immediately remembered the day we (Mike and Eric) installed the chain link fence separating the rings and I think I'll always think of that now.  My thoughts are with you in this difficult time.

Susan,
My thoughts are with you at this sad time. Please let me know anything I can do to help you. 
Sandy

Susan - I am so sorry for your loss and want you to know that you and your families will be in my thoughts and prayers.  Mike was a wonderful guy and I truly enjoyed working with him over the last 9 years at the Corps.  He had a wicked sense of humor that was enjoyed by so many of us. He will truly be missed.

Debbie Brown, Green Cove Springs, FL

Susan and Family,  I am very sorry for your loss.  I worked with Mike at the Corps of Engineers on occasion from 1994 to 2002.  He was always upbeat, always smiling, always positive, and a joy to know.  I never heard him say anything negative.  We shared many a laugh and I always enjoyed being a work partner with him.  I wish for you the best memories.  Peace, Bill Hunt and Family

Dr. Schultz;
I am so sorry to learn of this terrible loss for you. I have you in my prayers. Know that so many of us are here if you need us and we care.
(Your former student).

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Susan,
We are deeply saddened to lose Mike at such young age.  Mike was not only our neighbor, but a friend over the past 25+ years.  We shared many running stories together, and your plans for retirement.  Mike passed doing something he enjoyed most. He is now flying with angels.

We on earth will miss him very much, but he will live forever in our hearts, thoughts and memories.

May God bless you and your families.

Faculty, staff, and students at Florida State College at Jacksonville send their prayers to you and your family. Many of us never met Mike but we knew him through you. God bless you now and always.

My heart goes out to Mike's family.  He was such a pleasure to work with.  He will be missed.

Our sincerest sympathy to you and the family during this time.  We will miss Mike, his wit & humor made us laugh, & made our jobs more enjoyable. We are truly blessed to have known him.

Dr. Schultz,
The staff of 5E and 5Center send their deepest condolences. We are praying for you and your family during this difficult time
St. Vincent's 5E and 5C staff

Susan,
I was deeply saddened to hear of your loss. May God Bless you and your family.
Cissy

Mikee, thus wasn't part of our plan!  You and I were supposed to have one more year together at the Corps before our retirements.  Enjoy flying with the angels Mikee...I will miss you terribly my friend.

Dr. Shultz, I am so sorry for your loss.  My prayers are with you and your family.
Cathi Spath
BSN Student, Thursday night Ethics

Dr. Schultz, My prayers are with you.  I am sorry for your loss.  I am here to help you however I can.  I pray that God will comfort you during this time.  Angelique Brown BSN student (Thurs night)

The staff of 4 east, 4 west, 4.           
center and the rapid response team send our prayers to you. st. vincents medical center

To the entire Schultz family -- please know you all are in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.  May God send special blessings to provide you extra comfort.

Dr. Schultz, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Valina Curry
Thursday Night Ethics Class

Dr Shultz,
                 Many thoughts and prayers go with you and your family as you go through this most difficult time.  Your Saturday BSN class of students will be here when you need us.

Take comfort in the Lord for he will carry you through this time of sorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Professor Shultz

Your Thursday nite class of BSN students !

Susan, please know that friends are keeping you in their thoughts and prayers and are gladly willing to help you with anything you need.

Susan

My thoughts are with you.  Please let me know if there is anything that I can do for you.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.  May God hold you in his loving arms providing you comfort and giving you the strength you need to move forward.  Cherish all those wonderful memories you shared together.  Mike will be missed by many.

The staff at Promise House send our deepest sympathy. Know our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Mike, I endured our relationship as a good friend. Enjoy your last flight. May we meet again for another flight, Bill Rogers

Susan, my heart goes out to you during this time of sorrow and the days ahead. Mom & I send you our prayers. May God comfort you and give you a sense of peace.

OBITUARIO

Michael Mike Allen Schultz

17 mayo, 1957 – 24 abril, 2011

Hardage-Giddens Riverside Funeral Home & Riverside Memorial Park

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