David Schlottach

David spent 39 years with the Tyler Fire Department from May 16, 1977 - March 12, 2016. “Chief” as he was known to most, retired as the Assistant Chief TFD. He was known best for his Hazmat Safety Training, Retirement Planning intellect and vast knowledge of Finance and Budgets.

In his younger days David opened Phideaux (pronounced Fido) Pizza and loved to cook all his life. You could find him in the kitchen on his shift cooking for all the guys or the retiree’s breakfast and even a TV show or two showing off his skills. For those family members that went camping all those many years ago, we still remember the great fish fry’s at Keystone, rain and all. If you know... you know.

Davis is survived by his wife, Kathryn of 48 years, Daughter Samantha Williams of Grapevine, Granddaughter Jessika Wegner and her husband Richard and their children Jackson, Benjamin, & Cathrine, sister-in-Law Amelia Jon and her husband Jeffery, Niece Ginger and Nephew David, and let’s not forget his buddies, Camper, Paddy and Chico.

David was predeceased by his father Walter, mother Myrtle, brother Richard, sister-in-law Debbie.

During his time at the Fire Department David spoke at several clubs and organizations. One story comes to mind from Harold Plunk, then president of the local Optimist Club. “…JB Smith was due to speak that day to the club and someone told him he was following David Schlottach who spoke last time and Mr. Hunt said “Oh no, not Schlottach”. There was a round of laughter, and we all knew no one ever could beat David on his speeches.

David and Kathy traveled a good bit after his retirement and loved to drive until they got tired and stopped to see the local sights. David liked photography and out-of-the-way places with unique architecture and fun things to see and explore. David loved to restore old fire trucks and I am sure the men that restored them with him have many stories we could all laugh about for days. I do remember the older trucks being in the Christmas parades. David was a great historian both for the Fire Department as well as his family. He took genealogy to a whole other level, and the family has the printed scrolls of several family trees to prove it. Family reunions were always a source of fun and connectivity for David.

David wrote computer code back when the internet did not exist, for yearly theatre tournaments for several years. He was an honorary polar bear and proudest to say that no one in the final rounds had competed against each other until they met for the final, which is no small coding feat when you have thousands of kids competing in a national tournament. David was also a perfectionist when it came to building things with his hands; just try to take something apart that he has built, and you will see what we mean.