Karl H. Schumaker's Obituary
In Memory of Karl Henry Schumaker, Lt. Col. Air Force (Retired)
1st, April 2024
Lt. Col. Karl Henry Schumaker, a distinguished veteran of the United States Air Force, passed away peacefully on the morning of April 1st, 2024, at the age of 90. His amazing life was marked by unwavering dedication, pioneering achievements, and a legacy that will long outlive him.
His Life
Karl was the first in his family to attend college. He pursued his education at the University of Detroit, where he participated in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program. He played trumpet in the University band and was a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society.
Karl’s 24-year tenure in the Air Force was characterized by exceptional leadership and cutting-edge contributions. In the 1960s he was working on groundbreaking research at Dayton and Kirtland Air Force bases and pursued his Masters in Engineering while at Lawrence Livermore Labs. During the 1970s, he served as the head of the European Office of Aerospace and Development in Europe. His visionary leadership propelled critical advancements in aerospace technology, fostering international collaboration and innovation.
In the 1980s, Karl played an instrumental role in two iconic space missions. He was part of the team that designed and constructed the Laboratory Module for the International Space Station (ISS). Additionally, he contributed significantly to the development of the platform for the Hubble Telescope that has advanced our understanding of the universe.
As his career reached its zenith, Karl continued in the private sector. His expertise was sought after by industry giants such as Boeing and Northrop Grumman. His work continued to impact the field of aerospace and defense, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
On his retirement in Annapolis, MD, he was very active in the 40 Days for Life campaigns and pro-life events, assisted in helping with funerals as a member of the Arimethean Society, was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and faithfully attended daily mass.
He was predeceased by his first wife of 42 years, Margaret (Peggy), in 2001. He is survived by their children Robert, Elaine, Karl (Stephen), and John and four grandchildren, and by his wife Carolyn and her three children Cheryl, Stephen and Scott and seven grandchildren.
Personal Anecdotes
Robert - The day my Dad took me to the opening of “2001: A Space Odyssey” is one of my fondest memories. My lifelong sense of wonder and desire to create great things are the direct result of his work ethic and example. The smile on his face when he came out of retirement to swear me into the Air Force as an Engineer is the way I will always remember him.
Elaine - I treasure the day Dad took the training wheels off our little blue Schwinn. He was holding onto the back of the seat and running alongside. He said, "I won’t let go until you're ready.” I was, he did.
Karl Stephen - Thanks to Dad I became a life-long animal lover, partly because he took me on my first horseback ride (and I have ridden horses on 3 continents and Hawaii since then). I always felt a special bond with him because we shared the same name, and we named our son Karl; "The Three Karls" was a consistent photo op at family reunions.
John - Dad could cut a rug, crack a joke, blow a horn, and carry a tune. He was a charming young officer when he swept my mother off her feet. When we lived in England as children we made yearly invasions of Europe, landing on the French beaches at the hoverport in our Orange VW Microbus and from there traveled to almost every European nation. We saw marvelous things as kids. Thanks, Dad, for making me musical and for showing us the world.
Carolyn - As my husband for 21 years, Karl was the best dancer I ever had, took me on a tour of the world, and as a daily mass attendee increased my faith and brought me closer to God.
In Memoriam
A graveside service with military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. May his soul find eternal peace, and may his memory continue to soar among the stars he loved.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Air Force Enlisted Village in Lt. Col. Schumaker’s honor.
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