Obituary for Melvin Edward Schuldt
Melvin “Mel” Edward Schuldt passed away on the evening of December 21, 2020 in Helena, Montana due to Covid-19 and pneumonia. Mel was born on November 1, 1939 in Oakland, California to Gilbert and Mary (Franck) Schuldt. He was the first of three children.
Mel attended grade school in Nevada City, California until the family moved to Waseca, Minnesota when Mel was in 4th grade. Mel remained in Waseca and graduated from Waseca High School in 1957. In high school he played football and wrestled, which over the years, he had many memorable stories and experiences to share.
Mel went on to attend college at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa where he played football in1958. In 1959 his college career landed him at Mankato State College. He graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Mel’s passion for teaching would lead him down the halls of University of Montana where he earned his Master of Science degree in 1967.
Mel married the love of his life, Beverly Dahlgren, on December 30, 1961 in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Upon finishing college, they moved to Enterprise Oregon which became their home for 33 years.
Mel started his 31 year teaching career in 1962, as a high school Biology and Math teacher at Enterprise High School. Mel was a football coach during his tenure in Enterprise, but his chosen sport was wrestling. Mel took the initiative to start a wrestling program at Enterprise High and coached many championship teams earning him a place in the Oregon Wrestling Hall of Fame. In April 2005 Mel was honored with the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Mel proudly displayed the plaque presented to him commemorating this prestigious honor.
Mel was a highly successful teacher and coach who positively influenced those around him, earning him the respect of students and parents alike. He was even the Mayor in Enterprise, Oregon for a term!
During his summers while teaching in the 1980’s, he was an accomplished fishing guide on the Columbia River for Mid-Columbia Outfitters. With his passion for fishing and his strong people skills, this was a perfect summer job! In 1994, he started working at the Gates of the Mountains as a tour boat captain and tour guide. He truly enjoyed sharing his knowledge of history and made each trip memorable for his tourists. Mel anchored his last tour boat when he retired in 2011.
Mel was an avid hunter and fisherman. He would spend many hours on the water and in the field. It wasn’t often he traveled without a rod-n-reel. Mel was what one would call a fish-whisperer! He rarely came home from a fishing outing without a few stories to tell. Mel was an outdoorsman mentor to his grandchildren, where he was able to pass down his love and knowledge for the great outdoors. Mel was very excited to take his great grandson Blaine on his first personally guided tour at the Gates of the Mountains.
A true reflection of Mel was his silence when necessary, willingness to listen, leadership abilities, virtue, learning spirit and desire to do good for others, which made him a very humble man. He was kind to everyone he met and made others feel at ease when they were around him. Mel was always quick to lend a hand, provide advice or simply be a fishing buddy.
Mel was a very grateful member of AA and recently celebrated 39 years of sobriety. His sobriety served as inspiration to many others and he had great appreciation for the fellowship.
An avid reader and lifelong learner he spent many hours reading. This was especially important as in his later years when he suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and it made it more difficult to get out and fish, which he loved so much.
Mel had an incredible love for his dogs over the years. He always had a dog by his side and treated them as his “kids”. His latest companion, Max, was extremely special to him and recently passed after an amazing 12 years of friendship.
Mel is survived by his wife of 59 years, Beverly; son Peter Schuldt (Diane), son Michael Schuldt (Cheryl), daughter Susan Pender (fiancé Milt Dahl); grandsons Sean Thornton (Aimee), Matthew Thornton (Tiffany), Lucas Pender (fiancé Tori Hansen), Chris Schuldt, and Shea Schuldt; and one great grandson, Blaine Thornton.
He is also survived by his two younger sisters, Charlotte Washburn and Joyce Bristow.
A funeral mass and celebration of life will be held at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in June, due to restrictions of Covid-19. An announcement will be made once arrangements have been made.
Memorial donations in Mel’s memory may be made to: Lewis and Clark Library, 120 S. Last Chance Gulch St., Helena, MT 59601, or Lewis and Clark Humane Society, 2112 E. Custer Ave., Helena, MT 59602. Condolences may be sent to: Beverly Schuldt, 2081 Colonial Dr., Apt. 129, Helena, MT 59601.
Charles Haines says
Bev and family:
An unexpected passing for a good friend. We were sadden to hear of the news of our longtime friend and cohort.
Our thoughts are with each of you. Keep those beautiful memories in your hearts. Best of health to each of you.
Chuck and Charleen Haines
Walt & Carol says
To Mel’s Family,
It is with a heavy heart we once again say goodbye to a truly wonderful man, first when he and Bev moved from the neighborhood and now as he moves on to his eternal home. He will be missed.
Walt & Carol Nelson
Ryan Thornton says
Bev and family,
You are in my thoughts and my prayers. I was saddened to learn of Mel’s passing. He was my second father, my teacher, my coach, my mentor, my friend and our brother in Christ. Let our consolation be that we will meet again in Heaven.
Ryan Thornton
Michael Baird says
Bev,
I just found out about Mel’s passing this morning. When I was hired at EHS he was one of my most trusted mentors. I’m so saddened by this news. He was a such a honorable man. Take care Mike Baird
Diana Wallace(Weenink) says
A fantastic tribute, he was one of my favorite teachers in high school, my thoughts and prayers to the family. He made a lot of great memories to remember.
Donna Salzle says
I always remember Mel as the nice, big and strong “big brother!” Of course, I also remember him as the “outdoors man” since whenever my family had gone on a vacation out west for a visit, we would get to see what animals Mel & Bev had in their freezer from Mel’s latest hunt that Bev may be cooking!
John G. King says
Wonderful memories of high school and championship football teams three years in a row. We shared living in the beauty of Oregon.
Terry Richardson says
Bev, Mike, Sue, and Pete-
Had to catch my breath after hearing this news. Ironically, I was working on an old side-by-side shotgun nearly identical to the one he and Mike taught me to hunt game birds with in 8th grade.
As a teacher, wrestling coach, and father of my good friend in school I was fortunate to interact with “Mr. Schuldt” on many facets. In every one of them, he never failed to exemplify a calm, sure, assured manner that instilled respectful confidence in all situations. His convicted leadership in prayers for safety prior to every one of our high school wrestling match were legendary.
I learned much from him in the classroom, the sports arena, and in life. I know he is missed- and appreciated.
He is in a better place now- my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Jill Albright says
Very sorry to read this news – he surely was a good teacher for me. His obituary is so well written, I learned much about him throughout the rest of his life. Blessings to you all . . . . and know the HE is just fine, being with the Lord.
Kurt Scholz says
I’m sorry, but I just found out that Mel passed. He was my wrestling coach in the mid-1980s.
When I was a senior Mel asked me if I wanted to go to the state tournament. Of course I did! He was very frank and direct: “Kurt, you can’t wrestle on the mat. If you want to go to State, you will do as I say. First, we are going to teach you every takedown in the book. You may even invent a few.” I was 155 pounds, but we had an opening in the roster for 168 pounds. “That means you have to eat, a lot. Also, conditioning is a personal thing, but you need to condition for at least two overtimes. If you can make it to the third period–or overtime–you will have a better chance to win.” I did as he said.
Come the district tournament, I lost in an early round, but ended up working through the losers’ bracket, getting third. Under the tournament rules, I could challenge the second place finisher (the one who lost in the championship match) after the main tournament was over for the chance to go to the state tournament. Although he could have declined, he did not. As I prepared for the match, Mel told me, “take this guy down, and then let him up, over and over. He’s a good mat wrestler, so do not go down with him. You are in better shape than he is, so hold out to the late rounds or force it into overtime.”
With only 17 seconds left to go in the match, I was behind, 7-6. We were both on our feet, and I made my decision to shoot a fireman’s carry as soon as the whistle blew. My opponent was tired. When the ref, Chuck Corak, blew the whistle I hit my fireman’s carry, but my opponent grabbed my forearm with both hands and lay on top of it, pinning my bare arm to the mat. If I could get my hand out, I’d win 8-7 and go to state. I pulled, jerked and could not free my arm. The buzzer blew. I had lost.
The ref raised my opponent’s hand, signifying his victory. Mel walked out onto the mat and said, “Kurt, that was the best match in the tournament! Too bad no one saw it.” That was the biggest compliment I had ever received up to that point in my life.
I’m a better man for knowing Mel. He taught me that, even in defeat, I could excel. I never forgot that.
James Maher says
I am privileged to have known this wonderful person. I recall many times speaking with Bev and Mel. My sincere condolences to friends and family of Mel Schuldt.