Paul R. Schumacher
April 13, 1929 - May 1, 2022
Obituary
Paul R. Schumacher was born in Eureka, SD in 1929, to Jakob and Matilda Schumacher. He spent his childhood and early adulthood on a farm in Long Lake, SD, working alongside his parents and his 10 brothers and sisters. Life on the farm was tough and grinding, especially the South Dakota winters, but they never went hungry. Life centered around the farm, family, and church.
In 1950, Paul was drafted into the Army. After basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Paul was sent to Korea. He served as a truck mechanic attached to an Air Force Unit. Again, daily life was tough, living in a tent in the harsh climates of Korea, but Paul looked upon his time in Korea and what it provided him as a great opportunity. After a two-year stint in Korea, Paul attended trade school studying electronics in Kansas City, MO. After completing this training, he moved to Seattle to work for Boeing. Upon driving over Snoqualmie Pass and seeing the green of Washington in winter, Paul knew he was home. He would never live anywhere else.
In 1957, Paul met the love of his life, Doris Hoffman, at a folk dance. After a brief courtship, they married on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1957. The original date was the Saturday before Thanksgiving, but illness got in the way. But the following Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, they were married. The marriage was to last more than 56 years, until Doris’ passing.
Their first house was in Northgate, and Paul continued to work at Boeing, while Doris worked at a bank downtown. During their time in Northgate, Doris gave birth to Steve in 1959 and then Greg in 1961. In 1961, they moved to south Seattle, where they were to remain for the rest of their lives. Their third son, Scott, was born in 1962 and David in 1964.
In the early 1970s, Paul was laid off from Boeing. After working for a couple of TV repair shops, he and Doris bought Radio Hart TV in the Rainier Valley. Paul showed his tremendous business acumen by making Radio Hart a thriving business with many employees. While Doris never returned to work outside the home after the kids were born, she was the bookkeeper for Radio Hart, and an integral part of the business. The boys would work some Saturdays making service calls with the technicians, which helped them appreciate the importance of hard work, as well as the joys of Taco Time. Paul was an active investor in the stock market, and continued to follow the markets his entire life. Paul and Doris had a friendly competition as to whose investment accounts performed better. His memory was amazing, knowing each of his bank account numbers, as well as the phone numbers of everyone in his family. A man of deep and abiding faith, he and Doris would do daily Bible studies and would end each day praying for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was an active member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church for more than 60 years.
When the boys still lived at home, the family enjoyed frequent trips to Wenatchee to visit Doris’ sister, Helen, numerous camping trips, an annual stay at a cabin on Lake Chelan, and drives to South Dakota, with stops in Yellowstone and other sites along the way. After Paul retired, he and Doris traveled the United States and the world, including most of the 50 states, Northern and Eastern Europe, Russia, Turkey, Israel and the Middle East, and Central America. Exchanging their timeshare at Kala Point allowed them the flexibility to travel widely, and they scoured the exchange book for new places to visit. Always generous, they often invited others to join them on their trips and to stay in their condominium.
Perhaps the most enduring tradition Paul and Doris created was the annual trip to Lincoln City. More than 20 years ago, Paul and Doris rented condos at the Inn at Spanish Head for each family, including one large enough to host dinners for everyone. Except for pregnancies, work obligations, and global pandemics, every member of the family would attend the family reunion each summer. As the family has added new members, the reunion crowd has grown, and the laughter and joy along with it. This can’t-miss event is the highlight of the year.
In 2011, Paul and Doris moved to Judson Park and began a new chapter in their lives. When Doris’ health declined, she moved to the Health Center at Judson Park. She received excellent care, with Paul visiting her twice a day, until she died peacefully, on June 8, 2014. Paul remained active in the life of Judson Park, singing in the choir, attending Vespers every Sunday, and serving on various committees. A big booster of Judson Park, Paul served actively on the marketing committee, and he was affectionately known as the ambassador of Judson Park. If you came into the lobby and Paul didn’t know you, he would introduce himself and sing the praises of his home community. He had many friends, including his special friend and companion, Doris Lucille Mech, who brought so much joy to his life.
Paul passed away in his sleep on May 1, 2022. He is survived by his four sons, Steve (Ann), Greg (Mary), Scott (Laurie), and David (Therese); his 12 grandchildren, Emily (Grant), Ben (Libby), Janelle, Jake (Mandy), Allyson (Jon), Nathan (Jordan), Matthew (Iris), Elise (Branden), Claire (Logan), Jane (Mitchell), Paul, and Emma; and his six great-grandchildren, Henry, Gehrig, Bridget, Lukas, Luke, and Theodore.
Viewing will be June 4 and 5, 1:00-4:00 at Bonney Watson Funeral Home, 16445 International Blvd, in SeaTac. Burial will be on June 6 at 12:30 at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St in Kent. Memorial Service will be on June 6 at 3:00 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 19030 8th Ave S, in SeaTac.
“Earth hath no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.” I salute Paul as a Korean veteran for his service. My late husband was also a Korean vet & is buried at Tahoma National Cemetery. Living in Des Moines for 53 years, I was often in Paul & Doris home for Bible study & most closely acquainted with Greg, who took 3 years of hymn study piano lessons from me. I’m sending my sympathy, love & compassion to Paul’s family, who can be so proud of the heroic life their patriarch lived.