Richard Walton Schultz

He was born on April 29, 1945 in Glendive, Montana, the oldest of William (Bill) and Betty Baker Schultz’s four children. He attended local schools until the family moved to Mandan, North Dakota in 1960. He graduated from Mandan High School in 1963 and briefly attended Bismarck Junior College (currently Bismarck State College).

Dick served in the National Guard for six years and loved to regale people with his (mis)adventures during that time. He worked in newspaper sales in North Dakota, Montana and ultimately Salem, where he was employed first by the Statesman Journal and then the Capital Press from 1976 to 1994. Following that, he went into promotional sales, later buying the business and rebranding it as Willamette Ad Specialties. He retired in 2024.

He married MaryAnn Glass in 1973; that marriage ended in divorce. He married Lina Karen (Walker) Waidner in 1988 in Salem, where they continued to live until his death.

Karen loved to travel and Dick loved Karen, so they saw the world together. They delighted in exploring the Caribbean, often in the company of friends. He loved spending time at the Oregon coast, so much so that they joined the WorldMark timeshare community. Favorite destinations included Depoe Bay, OR and Oro Valley, AZ, and many other western locales.

Dick is survived by his wife of 37 years and his siblings Tom Schultz of Brooklyn Center, MN, Diane Schultz Sooy of Ellicott City, MD and Jack (Danna) Schultz of Whitefish, MT. He is also survived by nephews Jacob Schultz and Collier Sooy, and niece Libby Schultz. His sister-in-law Sandra Walker of Wilmington, DE was very much a part of Dick and Karen’s life and a frequent companion in adventure. Dick’s extended family includes 19 first cousins.

He takes with him his well-known sense of humor and seemingly endless supply of stories and jokes. Many of them will be shared at a celebration of his life on Saturday, June 7 at 1 pm at The Margarita Restaurant and Grill, 545 Ferry St. SE in Salem.

Remember Dick when you sample a fine locally crafted brew or when someone tells an especially bad pun. Donations in his name may be made to the American Red Cross or to a charity of choice. Messages of condolence and remembrance may be left at the Virgil T. Golden Funeral Services website: www.vtgolden.com