Wayne was born in Woodstock, IL. on Jan 27, 1933 to Karl and Virginia Schacht. He was active in football, basketball and played the saxophone throughout his school years. He went to Northern Illinois University then joined the Navy as a Cadet and became a jet pilot in the Navy from 1953-1957.
Wayne married the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Peggy Lou Shaw, on February 24, 1956 in La Jolla, California. He was flying jets off a carrier in the Pacific Ocean when their daughter, Jody Lynne, was born 12/03/1956.
Wayne and Peggy decided they wanted to be together as a family, so he finished his service in the Navy and he returned to college. Wayne got his BS degree at Michigan State University in East Lansing.
Wayne, Peggy and Jody moved to Ft. Wayne, Indiana where he was the Executive Director of Ft. Wayne Redevelopment Commission. Their son, Jeffrey Wayne, was born in Ft. Wayne on September 14, 1961.
After nine years in Ft Wayne, the family moved back to East Lansing so Wayne could work on his Masters at MSU. Following his graduation he got a job in Anchorage, Alaska and was there from November 1971 to August 1972. While in Alaska the family enjoyed the outdoor life almost every weekend. Camping, fishing, clam digging, catching shrimp and sledding down high mountain snow banks (even on the 4th of July!), but after that 9 months a family vote was taken whether to stay in Alaska or return to Michigan. The vote was 2-2. Girls wanted to leave, guys wanted to stay. Girls won, since the guys knew “if Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy”
Wayne worked in politics as the Chief Aide for a State Representative then worked for the State Government in Public Health and finally as Deputy Director of Corporations and Finance in the Commerce Dept.
Upon retirement on 12/31/1998 Wayne and Peggy bought 40 acres in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and built their dream home. They have a sign saying “If you are lucky enough to live in the mountains…you are lucky enough!” Wayne and Peggy were such loving, considerate and generous grandparents and great grandparents, watching the children grow up was what they moved to Colorado to do and they did it well!
Wayne and Peggy were members of Our Lady of the Mountains Church in Estes Park, where they made many friends. They enjoyed Sunday services and many Christmas Eve services with family and friends.
They loved entertaining in their home, having many lavish dinner parties and annual pig roasts including live music, dancing and libations.
Peggy died suddenly on 12-14-10 and the family was devastated. Jeff and Leah moved in with Wayne to keep him from being so lonely. Wayne is survived by his daughter Jody (Dan) Drake, son Jeff, grandson Barry Drake, grandson Tanner Drake, granddaughter Leah Schacht and great-granddaughter Shaunah Mae Drake.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 29 at the Howe Mortuary Chapel in Longmont.
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