Wolfram Martin "Marty" Schultze

On a quiet day that will forever feel far too soon, we said goodbye to Wolfram Martin “Marty” Schultze—beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He passed peacefully in La Jolla, California, but his story begins far from here.

Marty was born in Hamburg, Germany, to Ilse and Alfred Schultze. At the age of 15, he arrived in America with his family—Milwaukee, Wisconsin becoming home thanks in part to the generosity and open heart of Mrs. Jean Skaife, who helped them begin anew.

In the years that followed, Marty became many things: a husband, a father, a builder of rockets and dreams, a traveler, a thinker, and the funniest man in the room if you were paying close enough attention.

Marty is survived by the love of his life, Kathy—his partner of 65 years and the steady thread through all of life’s chapters. Together they raised four children: Mark (Alexandra), Gail, Anne (Rob), and David. He leaves behind grandchildren Jarom (Lisa), Alyssa, Alicia, Jenna, Alec, Xavier, and Auggie; and great-grandchildren Joey, Lucia, and Andrew. Also surviving him are his sister Maria Anderson and a constellation of family and friends who adored him, including Debbie, Jeannie, and Norbert—friends who became family.

Marty and Kathy made homes in many places—Wisconsin, Washington, Missouri—and eventually planted roots in New Berlin, Wisconsin, in a home Marty helped design, filled with music, books, and the scent of something always baking. In his later years, they settled into the coastal beauty of La Jolla, where Marty thrived in every sense of the word.

He was a man of remarkable intellect—graduating in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and later earning an MBA with a focus on Law and International Business. He worked on the Saturn V rocket, the Gemini Space Capsule, and even Concord supersonic jet proposals. Yes, he was brilliant. Yes, he held patents. But anyone who knew him knew that he was so much more than what he accomplished.

Marty was joyful. He was deeply curious. He was an old-school gentleman who wrote notes by hand, remembered birthdays, and laughed with his whole face. His wit was quick, often dry, and always unexpected. He had that rare ability to make a room lighter simply by walking into it.

He found delight in tennis, bridge, golf, classical music, and conversation. He was an avid reader, a devoted traveler, and a willing listener. And always—always—he was happiest when surrounded by his family. No dinner table was complete without him at the head, telling stories with a twinkle in his eye and a second helping in hand.

In the final years of his life, he remained unshakably positive. He was the kind of man who woke up and said, “Another day!”—and meant it. Marty was everything to everyone who knew him. To be loved by him was to be deeply seen, fully accepted, and always remembered.

There will be no memorial service, at Marty’s request. Instead, the family asks that you honor him in the most fitting way possible: by noticing the little things, by being kind, by staying curious, and by laughing—especially when you least expect to.

For donations in lieu of flowers, please be sure to select from drop-down menu: “GHF Sharp Hospice” as the recipient for donations in memory of Marty Schultze: sharp.com/inmemoryof

And if you find yourself hearing a Bach concerto, or smelling fresh coffee, or fixing something with your own two hands—smile. Marty’s not far.

Messages of sympathy may be sent to Marty’s daughter Anne at [email protected], who will ensure they are shared with Kathy.