Ronald Dean Schulze

Ronald Dean Schulze, age 81, passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2024 in the same city as his birth of Wichita, Kansas. He was born on April 14, 1943 to Frank Jr. and Lela Mae (Hayes) Schulze and was older brother to Shirley.

Life for Ron began in Wichita until around ninth grade, when the family made a move to Hermitage, Missouri, and stayed until he graduated from high school with a class of 9. While in Missouri, his father raised Arabian horses and Shetland ponies where Ron was very much the cowboy caring for them by his father’s side. Not only did he have an immense love for the horses, he was also part of their raising boxers, traveling the west coast to trade shows, once getting stranded in a snow storm in Wyoming. He thought it was the funniest thing. They knew a snow storm was coming, but his father didn’t think they’d get stranded. It was fun to tell his dad, “Told you so.”

After finishing high school, Ron went on to gain memories in college before enlisting in the Navy, following in his Uncle Elmer’s footsteps, where he was trained in AMS- Aviation Mechanical School, as a helicopter mechanic and he then served on the HS-10 Ream Field (HS=helicopter anti-submarine squadron) on the sandy white beaches of Imperial Beach, California. He also received the National Defense Service Medal which is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during wartime, to which he served in the Vietnam War stateside working on the helicopters that went to pick up our soldiers. Ron was proud to serve his United States.

After coming home for Christmas, for his sister’s wedding, Ron’s dad sent him home to clean up because he wanted to introduce Ron to his friends’ daughter, Donna Wall, whom he'd asked to go see Christmas lights and enjoy some coffee. Being sure to open her doors and pull her chairs, he’d ask for a kiss that night and she obliged. She worked at the Henry’s switchboard, to which he called one day, asking her out, saying, “You know, I don’t think we’ll ever be apart.” They dated every day he was home on leave, returning to base the day after New Years. Then, in January, he sent her mom and dad an engagement ring and asked if they’d put it on her finger. It was after a horse show, they told his dad and her parents, “They were going to get married,” in the same church her sister had married in, Grace Methodist Church, Wichita. . After taking their blood tests, for the marriage license, they married on August 15, 1965. A week after they wed, they went back to the small apartment in Chula Vista, a suburb of Imperial Beach, and pulled all the anchovies off the pizza they had the first night there. (She didn’t know what they were.)

Together they'd welcome a son, Ronnie Jr., to which he was an amazing father, changing diapers, and doing anything when Donna needed help. There was never a game of football, soccer, baseball, or basketball missed. He was an active father, coaching at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church until rheumatoid arthritis became a part of his life. On Sunday’s, they were all at church having breakfast, fixed by the moms, and Ron reiterated the sportsmanship towards others in the games they were fixing to play.

As Ronnie grew, Ron enjoyed sharing his love of hunting, fishing, and of course football with his son. Some of the favorite teams were, the Kansas City Chiefs and Steelers for Ronnie, along with Texas A&M and Notre Dame for Donna. And lastly, he continued working horses with his dad, and as a family, they cherished the time with friends at Beaver Lake.

After the military, Ron spent part of his career with Boeing Aircraft, then to Gas Service Co., before spending 33 years with the Ritchie Corporation where he began in the Concrete Accessories division, which was a variety store for contractors who needed concrete, rebar, etc.. All this before spending his last few years in the financial side of Ritchie. Though this was his daytime routine, he was proud to spend evenings and weekends giving to others while a 3rd Degree of the Knights of Columbus and as a lifetime member of the Home Builders Association. Each allowing him to meet and serve others. A gift given to each he encountered.

Ron was a great son, husband, father, grandfather and friend. Always getting carnations for his bride, Donna, and mother-in-law, Kay, on New Year’s Eve. Donna always sang, "You are my Sunshine," when they were walking, and when she snuggled up to him in his last days, she sang it softly again. They had just celebrated 59 memorable and loving years!

He was easy going, courageous, and funny. He shared his infectious smile freely and you couldn't help but love his "Never met a stranger personality." We can sum his 81 years up in three words: "Ron loved life!"

Preceded by his parents; brother-in-laws, George Buschardt and Cliff Utter. Those left to honor his memory are: wife, Donna; son, Ronnie D. Schulze Jr.; grandson, Robby Schulze; granddaughter, Dawn Marie Schulze; 2 great-granddaughters; 1 great-grandson; sister, Shirley (Dan Johnson) Helm; sister-in-laws, Sharon Buschardt and Pat Utter; 9 great-nieces; 1 great-great-niece; and 1 great-great-nephew.

A memorial service for Ron will be held Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Central Community Church, 6100 W. Maple St., Wichita, KS 67209.

MEMORIALS

As an expression of sympathy, the family has designated donations in Ron’s honor be made to: the Arthritis Foundation, 1355 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30309 or https://info.arthritis.org/donate-today .