William Arthur Shumann

Bill was born on May 30, 1939, to Eleanor (Pickart) and Alvin Shumann in Easton, Pennsylvania. Fond memories from his childhood included going to Phillies games in Philadelphia and spending his teenage summers as a lifeguard on the Jersey Shore. After graduating from Cornell University, he served in the U.S. Army. He had the good fortune to be stationed in Europe, where he met Monica, a charming young Englishwoman.

After they married, Monica joined Bill as he returned to the US, where he began a long and distinguished career in aviation. After a brief stint at The Washington Post, he joined Aviation Week and Space Technology as a reporter and editor. From there he moved to the staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, the Air Line Pilots Association, GE Aviation, and Lockheed Martin. His work took him around the world, including to Bangkok, China, Singapore, the UK, and France. He wrapped up his professional career at the Federal Aviation Administration, where he responded to the media on 9/11.

After his children had grown, Bill decided to take up flying himself, and earned his pilot’s license. Taking to the air was one of his great passions. After retiring, he volunteered weekly at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, helping visitors understand and appreciate the history and marvels of flight, and at Reagan National Airport. He also enjoyed his volunteer service with Meals on Wheels, delivering meals to people experiencing homelessness in Arlington, the monthly St. Ann Catholic Church food drive, and on the board of directors of Arlington Food Assistance Center.

Bill took great pleasure in events large and small. He relished traveling with Monica to destinations around the world, including India, the Galapagos, and South Africa. He also had a lifelong appreciation for the joys of daily life, such as going out to dinner with friends, enjoying a glass of wine with dinner, and savoring a bowl of ice cream every evening.

Moved by the Holy Spirit, and after attending Mass weekly for nearly 50 years with Monica, Bill converted to Catholicism in 2021. His faith was a source of comfort and peace in his last years as he faced dementia.

Bill was known for his gentleness and integrity. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Monica Shumann of Arlington, VA; sister, Ann Pellegrino of Lafayette, IN; children, Richard Shumann (Jill) of Falls Church, VA, David Shumannfang (Barbara) of Durham, NC, Catherine Whitt (Scott) of Chapel Hill, NC, Michael Shumann of Boise, ID, John Shumann (Blanca) of Burke, VA, and Elizabeth Shumann (Elliott) of Golden, CO; and grandchildren Connor, Bennett, Christina, Daniel, Benjamin, Samuel, and Asher.

A memorial gathering for Bill will be held Monday, September 25, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Murphy Funeral Homes, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203. A Mass of Christian Burial will occur Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 11:00 AM at St. Ann Catholic Church, 5300 N 10th St, Arlington, VA 22205.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that any memorial tributes be made in the form of donations to Arlington Food Assistance Center (https://afac.org/donate/), Insight Memory Care Center (https://insightmemory.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donation), or St. Ann Catholic Church (https://stannchurch.org/donate/).