In April of 2000, I remarried to one of the most remarkable person in the world, Yelena of Vladivostok, Russia.  Whether it was fate, or just luck, we met when we least expected it, and found that something as simple as our mutual love of Australia was all it took to  make us open our hearts to each other. Since then we have travelled to back to Australia, where I had taught school, Italy, Mexico, Amsterdam and parts in between. 

Our son Staff Sgt. David,USMC, 29, has returned from Iraq twice, and was awarded the Navy & Marine Medal of Achievement, Combat V after leaving the safety of a bunker three times to rescue and treat three Iraqi security forces during a mortor attack on his base during his last tour.  When he came home, his first wish was a trip to the Buffalo Grove Lou Malanati's for a Honey Weiss Lieni and deep dish spinach pizza.

Jennifer, 25, Graduated from USF in Communications and is returning to Chicago in 2008 with a new job.

Anastasia, 21, is attending Loyola with a triple major - Accounting, Finance and International Business with honors. 

In June, I was promoted and transferred to Seattle (anyone need a condo on Ohio Street in Chicago?).  Now I travel the Western United States for AIG.

We may never move to Australia as we had hoped, but in Seattle, we are at least closer to the Pacific. As Yelena and I look toward our 8th anniversary this April, we are thankful and know we are blessed.  

I've been unsure as to what to write and have decided to just ramble on and tell you what comes to mind regarding my life post WHS. Here goes:

    JOBS: Ball State University, Dir. of Univ. Bands, 1969-71

                Staples HS, Westport, CT, Dir. of Bands, 1971-72

                Glenbrook South HS, Glenview, IL, Allied Arts Dir., 1972-73

                Brentwood HS, Brentwood, Long Island, NY, Dir. of Bands, 1973-98

I retired in June, l998 and moved to Winter Haven, FL. I worked part-time at DisneyWorld for the Disney Cruise Line from l998 until 2003. I've gotten back into playing professionally (Alto Sax/Clarinet) part-time at DisneyWorld and 4 local jazz (big) bands and a symphony orchestra. It's as much as I want to do in retirement.

PERSONAL: I was divorced from my wife, Judy, in 1975. I have 3 children-Kristen(40), Erik(38) and Kurt(36). I was granted custody and raised them myself from the ages of 8,6 and 4. My daughter, Kristen, is a mother of 3, a lawyer, married to a surgeon and lives in Boston. My son, Erik, is a father of 4, an investment banker, married to his Russian wife and lives in Moscow, Russia. My son, Kurt, is a father of 1, an Employment Specialist with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and lives in Dallas, TX. I never remarried but came close a few times (Whew!). I'm currently seriously dating a wonderful girl, Janna(46), a travel agent and feel great. By the way, I'm 71 so "thank you GOD!".

Life hasn't worked out the way I imagined but all in all, everything has been for the best. I had to leave Ball State University because my wife hated Muncie, IN and threatened to leave me and take the kids. I decided I could always get another job but not another family. As it turned out, Judy didn't like being a mother (she was an opera singer in NY and Europe) and I enjoyed being a dad so that's how the custody thing came about.

We are sure that most of you receiving this email have already heard the very sad new about our son Christopher.  For those of you who have not, here is what happened; On Wednesday, October 24^th, 2007, Chris left for work at his usual time around 5am.  His commute is over 50 miles to the job that he loved and cherished.  However, after only 5 short miles, he was involved in a serious accident that took Chris away from all of us.  Chris was driving his 2001 Honda Civic and the collision was with, what we believe to be, a delivery type truck.  Although we have talked to the investigating officer, the details of the accident are not clear.  Janel’s father, Duane, has friends that work on the Glendale Police department and even though we could not get any details, we were told that Chris did not suffer at all and we are very grateful for that.  We thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers and we would appreciate that you continue your thoughts and prayers, especially for Janel and Maddy.

A little about Chris for those who might not have known him;

Chris was born on November 1^st, 1980 and would have celebrated his 27^th birthday next Thursday.  Chris loved his family and showed this continually with his hand written cards and thoughts.  As most of you know, his number 1 love after family was music, and as it ended up, he enjoyed teaching music more than playing.  He started playing the Saxophone in the 4^th grade and continued this throughout the rest of his life.  He was Drum Major his Junior and Senior years at Deer Valley High School and continued this musical adventure thru 4 ˝ years of as a Sun Devil with the Arizona State University Marching Band.  Chris met Janel while in High School and they married on October 12, 2002.  They had bought their 1^st home in El Mirage in June of 2004.  Shortly after obligating themselves to this home, he was offered a “Dream” job as the Assistant Band Director at Mesquite H.S. in Gilbert, Arizona.  Unfortunately, this made for a 55 mile one way commute.  This was usually done 6 days a week.  On January 07, 2006, Chris and Janel gave birth to Madyson (Maddy) Elizabeth Rainer.  After their 2 year stay in El Mirage, it was time to pull stakes and move closer to his work.  They put their home on the market in the summer of 2006 and after over 1 year, finally sold it.  So, at the end of August, Chris, Janel and Maddy moved in with us while they searched for their dream home in the south east part of the valley, closer to his work.  Chris was also asked to participate in the Tempe Symphonic Orchestra which was an honor but unfortunately, a short lived honor.

We will all miss Chris very much and we very much appreciate all your thoughts and prayers. Here is a link to a site where you can read the effect that Chris had on his students, parents, colleagues and friends. http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/100347

We love you and we will miss you dearly Chris,

Mom and Dad

Rest in Peace Chris

Michael A. Titre of Arlington Heights A funeral Mass for Michael A. Titre, Major USAF Retired, will be celebrated 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31, at Our Lady of the Wayside Church, 440 S. Mitchell St., Arlington Heights. Visitation will be from 3 until 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd., 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road (four blocks south of Palatine Road), Arlington Heights. Michael taught physics and physical science in High School District 214 for 18 years, beginning at Wheeling High School and retiring from Elk Grove High School in 1984. His parents, Caterina (nee Savio) Titre and Peter Titre preceded him in death. Born of Italian immigrant parents in Clinton, Ind., on Oct. 23, 1923, he was raised in Lockport, Ill., graduating with honors from Lockport Township High School in 1941. He passed away at his home Monday, Aug. 27, 2007. He enlisted in the Air Force, graduating from flight training as a P-47 Thunderbolt pilot and during World War II was assigned to the 9th Air Force 405th Fighter Group. His military career as a fighter pilot included 58 combat missions over Germany. His decorations include the ETO ribbon with five Battle Stars, the Medal for Humane Action with three ribbons, the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. During the Berlin Airlift he was assigned to Templehof, A.F.B. in Berlin as the chief weather forecaster, responsible for all air lift operations in and out of Berlin. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster for that service. During the Korean War he was assigned as the commander of the Weather Detachment Osan AFB Korea and served as instrument flight Instructor for the Korean Air Force. For his service to the Republic of Korea, Michael was awarded with a set of Korean Air Force pilot wings recognizing him as pilot in the Royal Korean Air Force. Upon retirement from the Air Force, Michael completed his teaching degrees and graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign. Michael began his teaching career in High School District 214 at Wheeling High School then transferring to Elk Grove High School. During his teaching career and into retirement he served on several community organizations in Arlington Heights. He is survived by his brothers Peter (Maxine) Titre of Arlington Heights and John (the late Beatrice) of Colorado Springs; stepbrother, Conrad (Peggy) Gordon of Lockport. Ill.; and numerous nieces and nephews living locally, out of town and out of state. A private burial with full military honors will be held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Ill. Memorials may be made to Memorial Squad, Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 27034 S. Diagonal Road, Elwood, IL 60421; American Institute for Cancer Research, 1759 R. Street N.W., P.O. Box 97167, Washington, DC 20090; or Experimental Aircraft Association Aviation Center, P.O. Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086. For information 847-253-0168.

FUNERAL – Monday, May 14
Wake Chapel 9-10am
Funeral at 10:00am
St. Edna Church
2525 N. Arlington Heights Road
Arlington Heights, IL

The funeral mass will be on Monday, May 14  at 10 am with a 9 am wake chapel here at Saint Edna Catholic church 2525 North Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights Illinois 60004.  Cards can be sent to the church office and we will be sure the Schulze family gets them. 

 There will be a funeral luncheon directly following the mass.  Any one out there that would like to help out with the lunch that it would be much appreciated.  You can call Ruth Forster 847-259-6142 and let her know if you can bring a salad or desert or if you can help serve. 

Robert E. Schulze: 1933 - 2007

Teacher and coach at Wheeling

By Patricia Trebe
Special to the Tribune
Published May 17, 2007

Robert E. Schulze was an intimidating presence in the halls of Wheeling High School, but appearances were deceiving, colleagues said.

"He was the strongest guy I think I have ever known," said Rick Benedetto, former head football coach at the school. "He was like the rock of Wheeling High School. But he was fantastic with the kids."He would be grabbing people in the hallways and he would have you in a hold and you couldn't get away from him. The kids loved it when he did that."

Mr. Schulze, 74, died of myelofibrosis, a blood disorder, on Wednesday, May 9, in his Arlington Heights home.

For 30 years, Mr. Schulze taught physical education at the District 214 school where he also was wrestling coach and assistant football and golf coach.

"He was a mentor," said Neal Weiner, the school's boys athletic director and head wrestling coach. "He helped me learn an unbelievable amount of information and also how to be a leader."

Former students said he was demanding and respectful.

"Coach Schulze had something to offer everyone, and if you listened and worked hard, you are a better person today because of the work ethic he taught all of us," said Todd Wilson, a member of the 1977-78 conference champion team.

Mr. Schulze was born in Blue Island. His family moved around the Midwest with his father's job as head of A&P Bakeries before settling in Mt. Prospect.

At Arlington High School, Mr. Schulze was captain of the football and wrestling teams. He graduated from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in education.

His teaching career was put on hold after he enlisted in the Navy, where he was a pilot. He was in Squadron VA-145 and flew off the USS Ranger. Mr. Schulze remained in the Naval Reserve based in Glenview and was discharged in 1971 as a lieutenant.

For several years, Mr. Schulze taught physical education at South Junior High School in Arlington Heights District 25, where he met his wife, Mary, a teacher at another district school. They got married in 1963 and moved to Arlington Heights in 1973.

Mr. Schulze started at Wheeling High School when it opened in 1964 and received a master's degree that year from NIU.

He retired in 1992.

"He loved to play golf and he loved classical music," said his son Kurt. "He used to drive people nuts because ... he would be blasting away his classical music and not a lot of people were into it."

Survivors include his wife; two other sons, Eric and Brett; two brothers, Ted and Bill; and a sister, Grace Glascock.

Services have been held.

Here is a link to the Daily Herald obituary page guest book for Coach Schulze:
http://www.legacy.com/DailyHerald/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=87960681