Born on March 18, 1987, in South Korea, Tae was the beloved son of Myong Hui Schlagel (Yi). A dedicated lifelong learner, he recently achieved a significant milestone by graduating from the University of Maryland in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Services Management.
Tae enlisted in the U.S. Navy on December 13, 2005, and served honorably until October 12, 2011. During his military career, he attained the rank of Hospitalman (HN) and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Rota, Spain. While overseas, he participated in missions supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Navy Corpsman, contributing to the broader Global War on Terrorism. He was deeply proud of his military service and the opportunity to care for others.
Following his military career, Tae found his calling in healthcare as a radiology technologist. His exceptional attention to detail, commitment to excellence, and passion for teaching and mentoring others made him a valued and respected member of the team at Inova GoHealth. Colleagues and patients alike benefited from his professionalism, knowledge, and compassionate spirit.
Outside of work, Tae embraced life with enthusiasm and curiosity. He enjoyed hiking, fishing, cooking, reading, and gaming. Whether exploring the outdoors, learning something new, or spending time with those he cared about, he approached life with dedication and determination.
Tae will be deeply missed by his loving mother, Myong Schlagel; his stepfather, Kevin Schlagel; his brother, Andrew Schlagel; his sister, Angela Schlagel; and his faithful service dog and companion, Sydney. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
A funeral service with military honors will be held on August 3, 2026. Viewing will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life service at 10:30 a.m. at Chapel Springs Church. Refreshments will be served at 11:30 a.m. Interment with military honors will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Quantico National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to K-9 Caring Angels in honor of Tae's memory at https://k-9caringangels.org/donate.
