Marlin William Schulz, 87 of Laguna Woods, CA, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 7, 2021, after a lengthy struggle with Dementia/Alzheimer’s.

Marlin was Born January 22, 1934, in St. Paul, MN

Preceded in death by parents William (Bill) and Dora (Wegner) Schulz, brothers Delphin Schulz and his wife Lo, Kenneth Schulz and his wife Audrey, Son Kevin Schulz and Daughter-in-law Bonnie (Lorenger).

Survived by his Wife of 67 years Donna (Donner), Sisters Lois Hicks (Dick) Deerwood MN, and Delores Gwynn (Leland)(d) , McKinney, TX.

Father of 6 Sons: Robin (Gale), Kevin (d) (Brenda), Cory (Debbie), Terry (Amy), Dan (Bonnie)(d), Eric (Cindi) and their families including 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Education
In 1956, Marlin earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Education degree from the University of Minnesota. After graduation from the University of Minnesota and completion of the ROTC program, Marlin entered the U.S. Army Signal Corp and was stationed at Fort Monmouth, NJ. There he served as a First Lieutenant (Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence Officer) on the General’s Staff (G-2 Section) until being honorably discharged in 1958.

From 1958 – 1963, Marlin completed the Lutheran Teacher Colloquy program qualifying him to teach in the Lutheran School System.

He completed a Master’s of Science Degree in Education from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1966. In 1974, he received the Doctor of Philosophy Degree from the University of Nebraska.

Professional
From 1958 -1963, Marlin served as a teacher and athletic director at St. Paul Lutheran School, Royal Oak, MI, teacher at Central Lutheran School, St. Paul, MN, and as a television program writer and on-camera teacher for two television series, “APT to Teach” and “Bible Story Time.”

Marlin, Donna and family moved to West Bend, WI, in 1963, where he was principal of St. John’s Lutheran School until 1968. From 1968-1974, Marlin taught education methods courses on the faculty of Concordia Teachers College, Seward, NE, (now Concordia University, Nebraska).

The family moved to St. Louis, MO, in 1974, where Marlin became an Associate Secretary for Lutheran Schools and Director of Multicultural Education for the Synod’s Board for Parish Services. Marlin was a Professor of Education at Christ College from 1981-1999, (now Concordia University, Irvine, CA). There he developed and administered many programs, was Vice-President of the University, Dean of the Graduate School, and University Director of Foundation Relations. He developed a comprehensive teacher education program and spent several months in the Thailand jungle in 1987, and in 1989, to equip fifty adults of the Karen People to teach refugee camp orphans. He also made several trips to India conducting feasibility assessments for improvements and for new school construction projects for the Lutheran elementary educational system.

After retiring from Concordia University, Marlin provided professional services for a number of organizational activities for Lutheran Social Services of Southern California. He supported District leaders through conference presentations and committee services. Over the years, Marlin served congregations as president; vice-president; chairman and member of various committees; teacher trainer; long-range planning consultant; conflict mediator; Bible study and confirmation class leader; and choir member.

Interests and Hobbies
Marlin enjoyed international travel, photography, hiking, golfing, visits to national parks, California beaches, walking through tide pools, completing an occasional home improvement project and visiting with family and friends.

Memorial Gifts – Marlin Schulz Memorial Scholarship Fund
As a teacher, educational administrator, and consultant in service to his Savior in professional ministry, Marlin valued and fostered inclusion and diversity long before these concepts become common in society. Part of his life’s work was to find the means and methods to provide educational training opportunities for underserved ethnic groups. While on staff with Synod Board for Parish Educations, he focused on the development of multi-cultural education opportunities for inner city minority groups. In the late 1980’s, he and Donna traveled to Thailand where he trained 50 ethnic Karen tribesmen to serve as teachers to the local orphanages.

It is in this spirit that we invite you to remember Marlin by joining the Schulz family in funding an academic scholarship specifically to encourage and support education majors at Concordia University Irvine who plan to teach within multi-cultural and/or minority populations. Our goal is to assemble sufficient funds to make this a sustaining scholarship.

Memorial gifts may be provided directly to Concordia University via mail or online. 

Mail:
Please mail a check with your donation to:
University Advancement
1530 Concordia West
Irvine, CA  92612

Be sure to note in the comments section of the check: “Marlin Schulz Scholarship Fund”

Online:
Log on to www.cui.edu/giving.
Scroll down to the donation form and select "Scholarship Endowment”.
Enter "Marlin Schulz Scholarship Fund"

Thank you in advance for your support of the future generations of educators with a passion to further this ministry.

Blessings                                                                                                                                

Donna and the Schulz Family