David Schuler

David John Schuler

Dave Schuler, age 77, of Bellaire, Michigan, died peacefully at home on February 12, 2010, following a courageous struggle with cancer.

He was born April 30, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Rudolph J. and Jessie (Austin) Schuler. He received a Jesuit education at the University of Detroit High School and then John Carroll University, where he earned his BA in Philosophy and served as president of his class his sophomore, junior, and senior years. After graduating from college, he enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Fulda, Germany, where he served his country as an officer from 1955-56.

Dave's lifelong history on Torch Lake began with his first trip to Junker's Resort in the summer of 1932, when he was just four months old. In 1937, his father bought a cottage within walking distance of Alden, just north of town, and it was there that Dave's love for the lake and the land surrounding it began. He enjoyed the many friends who also spent their summers at the lake doing the things they all loved: fishing, canoeing, exploring the woods and, when they were old enough, taking their parents' cars out on the railroad tracks to ride the rails! In the summer of 1954, Dave took a job as lifeguard at the Torch Lake Yacht Club. It was on that fateful club dock that he met Susie Hattendorf, and five years later, on February 7, 1959, Dave and Susie were married. Soon after, they moved to the Chicago area where Dave began his career as "The World's Greatest Steel Tubing Salesman," as he often smilingly called himself. After nine years with Calumet Steel, Dave formed his own sales company, representing Miami Industries of Piqua, Ohio, which he ran for 32 years. With commitment and hard work, Dave was able to give his family the kind of summers at the lake he had treasured when he was young, and he and Sue provided a wonderful childhood for their four children. His adult summers consisted of commuting north from Chicago on the weekends to spend time with his family and to engage in a pastime he enjoyed his entire life - trolling up and down the lake, fishing for the ever-elusive 6-lb. smallmouth bass.

Upon retirement in 1995, Dave and Sue moved from Hinsdale, Illinois, to Torch Lake full time. Continuing to show his commitment to the area, Dave served on the Forest Home Township Parks and Recreation Board. He also worked as a Block Captain for the Torch Lake Protection Alliance. When he wasn't busy doing the chores on his "List," Dave found time to take in a round of golf with the guys, play bridge with Sue and their friends and, of course, continue the pursuit of that smallmouth bass.

The final fourteen years of Dave's life were enriched by his recovery from alcoholism. The gifts that recovery gave to him and his family are inspiring to everyone who knew Dave well. He was a deep and sensitive man with a wide-ranging interest in the world. A lover of classical music and great books, Dave was also a talented artist, a warm and affectionate friend, and a devoted husband.

Dave will be dearly missed by his wife Sue, his two daughters and their husbands, Barbara and Ethan Canin and Sarah and Dan McNamara; his son Kurt Schuler and fiancAC.e Diane Holt; and his seven grandchildren, Amiela, Ayla and Misha Canin, Isabel and Liam Schuler, and Hayden and Jack McNamara, who will carry many happy memories of times spent with "Davey." Dave is also survived by his sister Barbara (Robert) Beaupre of Seneca, SC and Alden, MI. Dave is preceded in death by his parents and his eldest daughter, Susan Elizabeth Schuler.

The family is very grateful for the guidance and services provided by Munson Hospice and is especially indebted to Cindy for her loving, sensitive and professional care.

Funeral Services for David J. Schuler will be held at St. Luke Catholic Church in Bellaire on Tuesday, February 16, at 10:00 a.m., with a luncheon immediately following. Memorial contributions may be sent to Munson Hospice, a Hospice of your choice, or Grass River Natural Area. Arrangements have been made by Mortensen Funeral Home 231-544-3600 or visit www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com