April 9, 2006
Loudonville, NY
David C. Schulze, 90, went to his eternal reward on April 9, 2006 at home with his beloved wife Joan at his side. David had been ill with liver cancer for three months. David was the fifth of 11 children born to Frederick C. and Stella M. Kappler Schulze. He attended Catholic elementary school and then at the age of 12 entered St. Francis College, the minor seminary of the Franciscan Friars. Ordained a priest in 1939, his first assignments included teaching at Trenton Catholic Boys High School and the minor seminary of Staten Island. In 1946, he was sent to Costa Rica where he founded St. Francis College in Moravia. Through the years, this school has grown into a co-educational primary and a secondary school that has been recognized as the best in Costa Rica. In 1949, he was appointed assistant to the provincial and, in 1963, he was elected provincial of the Franciscan Order, an office he held for six years. With special papal permission, he married Joan Risbam in 1969 and took up residence in Albany, N.Y.
David enjoyed swimming, traveling with his wife Joan, meeting new friends, trips to New York City theatre, ballets and the opera. David and his wife enjoyed trips to Naples, Fla. over the years. David's special interest was weekly game of chess with a gentleman friend for several years. Diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, David tried to accept the fact that his time left on this earth was very short and to prepare for death, while at the same time to avail himself of the advice and aid of his doctors and loving dedication to his needs by the love of his life, his wife of 36 years, Joan. His final moments were very peaceful. In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by his sisters, Stella Aument and Betty Schulze, both of N.C., Joan Francis, Mary Dixon and Ruth Goetter of Pa. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.