Edward Martin Schulze died peacefully on October 29, 2011 in Conroe, Texas, at the age of 91 years.
Ed was born July 6, 1920 in St. Louis, Missouri, to Edward W. and Anna Schulze, both of whom preceded him in death. During his youth he resided primarily in Springfield, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, and soon after graduation, he moved to Texas to work in the petrochemical industry. Except for military service, he spent his entire career in that industry, employed in supervisory positions by subsidiaries of Standard Oil of Indiana, including American Oil Company and Amoco Chemical Company. He was in Texas City on April 16, 1947, at the time of the explosion of the SS Grandcamp which led to the largest industrial accident in U.S. history.
Wanda Link of Palestine, Texas, and Ed married in September 1944 soon after Ed was commissioned as an officer in the U. S. Navy. Ed served in World War II on naval vessels operating in the South Pacific, including ships supporting the invasion of Okinawa in 1945. After the war, he remained in the Naval Reserve and was recalled in 1951 to serve during the Korean War.
Ed and Wanda resided in Dickinson, Texas, for over 30 years and raised their three sons to adulthood in that community. They were faithful members of Howell Memorial Methodist Church while residing in Dickinson. Ed participated in various civic organizations and served as a trustee of the Dickinson Independent School District. During Hurricane Carla in 1961, Ed remained in Texas City to monitor the effects of the hurricane on chemical plant operations, while his family evacuated.
Soon after retirement in 1980, Ed and Wanda moved to Huntsville, Texas, where they resided until they moved to Conroe, where they lived next door to two of their sons. During retirement, Ed enjoyed playing golf and serving Habitat for Humanity.
Ed was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and citizen. He was steadfast in his love and support of family, dear friends, and the nation. His family and friends will hold and cherish this as his greatest gift.
Ed is survived by Wanda Link Schulze, his wife of 67 years, and their three sons and their respective wives., E. M. Schulze, Jr. of Conroe, Randall T. Schulze and wife, Rosemary, of Richmond and James L. Schulze and wife, Patty of Conroe. He is also survived by his sister, Mildred Bowden of Springfield, Illinois, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His grandchildren are: Troy Schulze, Emily Binetti, Stephanie Johnston, Martin Schulze, Greg Schulze, Steven Schulze, Leslie Book, Russell Schulze and Rene' Schulze. His great-grandchildren are: Dutch Binetti, Sloan Johnston and Adeline Schulze. Additional survivors include: Patrice McDonald, Michael Galvan, Ian Rudebusch and Catherine Rudebusch, nieces and nephews.
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