In loving memory of Fred Schultze
November 13, 1909 – February 23, 2008.

At age 98, surrounded by his family, Fred Schultze passed away at Swedish Memorial Hospital, after a brief and sudden illness.

Loving husband of Elisabeth, who died in 1996, Fred is survived by his daughter Sylvia Hoffmeyer of Maui and his grandson Abram Bowman of Phoenix. A resident of West Seattle since 1952, Fred's family also included a community of cherished friends who knew him as an interesting and caring companion, storyteller, philosopher, adventurer, lover of music and nature – a man with a generous spirit and a wry sense of humor.

Fred Schultze was born in Berlin, Germany to Otto and Minna Schultze in 1909. At twenty, he immigrated to Canada and became a citizen. Although times were hard and he worked odd jobs making, literally, only a few dollars a week, he had many fascinating stores about his life during those years. After the start of WWII he was sent to an internment camp in the Yukon Territory and ultimately expatriated back to Germany where he met and married Elisabeth and worked as an interpreter for the American Army. Fred brought his family to America in 1951. He became an operating engineer in Seattle and worked in that profession until his retirement in 1976.

Fred may have retired from work but he never retired from living life to the fullest and enjoying each day. At age 87, he taught himself to play the cello and was a member of the West Seattle Community Orchestra until a few years ago. An avid reader, interested in a broad range of subjects, Fred subscribed to the 'use it or lose it' philosophy of aging and living. Until this year, he had season tickets to the symphony and walked daily in Lincoln Park. Rain or shine, he loved to meet friends in the park, sit on his favorite bench, feed the crows and squirrels, and watch the ferries cross Puget Sound.

Fred Schultze was a model for how to live a decent, honorable life – accepting its ups and downs with grace and a philosophical perspective. His family and the many people who came to know and love him will miss him very much.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fred Schultze Lincoln Park Memorial fund at Washington Mutual Bank.

Published March 12, 2008 in the West Seattle Herald.