Roger D Schantz

Roger D. Schantz, 82, passed away from this life on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Roger was born in Fulton County, Ohio on July 8, 1936 to Milton and Alta Rupp Schantz. While in high school, Roger met the love of his life, the gifted and gracious Helen Derby of Lyons, Ohio. Roger and Helen were married for 38 wonderful years until she lost her battle with cancer in 1995. Their marriage produced a beloved family who will deeply miss him and his words of wisdom. A devoted and loved father and grandfather, Roger is survived by his children, Rochelle (Christopher) Hoff, R. Matthew (Terri) Schantz, John (Jodi) Schantz; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by great-grandson Max Tharp. He is also survived by loving siblings Richard Schantz, Glendon Schantz, Janeth Segel, Sharon Rex and many nieces and nephews.

Roger was most thankful for his family and his small-town heritage and the unique values of Archbold, Ohio. His favorite verse over the years was, “Whatever your belief system, live the ‘fruits of the Spirit’” (Galatians 5:22-23). In his hometown, Roger stood out in academics, music and athletics, becoming a National Merit scholar and later being inducted into the Archbold High School Hall of Fame. Roger was also a well-known and respected basketball official throughout Ohio communities, working many state tournaments. He was honored in the Northwest Ohio Officials Hall of Fame in 1999.

Roger attended Bowling Green State University (BGSU) on an academic scholarship and participated on the university basketball team while earning a B.A. degree in mathematics. He also completed his M.A. in Mathematics at BGSU.  Roger believed strongly in an obligation to serve his country and he proudly served two years in the U. S. Army.

Always an esteemed educator, he launched his professional career at Columbus Grove High School from 1960-1964 teaching mathematics and coaching basketball and baseball. He remained in contact with many of his students over the decades which brought him great joy. His devotion to education continued with teaching mathematics at Sylvania High School. While also taking advanced studies at the University of Toledo (UT), he was elected to the honor society Pi Kappa Phi. His family settled in Sylvania, Ohio where they resided in this wonderful community for 31 years. His faith journey was steadfast as an active member at Sylvania United Church of Christ. He also served as president of the Sylvania School Board while his children attended Sylvania Schools.

Roger continued his professional career as an associate professor at UT and was selected by students as Outstanding Teacher in 1970. His last seventeen years in education were at Owens Community State College as a professor, serving in various leadership positions including vice president and assistant to the president. Roger retired in 1987 to be part of a closely held consulting firm specializing in statistical quality management. In that capacity, he worked with top fifty corporations nationally and worked five years internationally in Great Britain and Scotland before retiring in 1994 when Helen’s cancer became untreatable.

During the following years, summers were spent in western North Carolina or in Archbold, but each winter Roger was happily golfing near Myrtle Beach, SC and in 2012 he became a full-time resident. In South Carolina he enjoyed his golf, his many friends and the community and comfort he found at Belin United Methodist Church.

Roger wished to express, “I have been blessed by birth and marriage, and blessed to have a most productive life; but if I could have my dream job, it would be teaching elective math and coaching basketball. I want but one thing on my memorial – Teacher.”      

There will be a Celebration of Life reception for Roger in Wright Hall at Sylvania United Church of Christ, 7240 Erie Street, Sylvania, Ohio on Saturday, April 27 from 1:00-3:00 P.M. Interment will be held privately at Toledo Memorial Park in Sylvania, Ohio. Contributions in memory of Roger may be made to Belin United Methodist Church, Murrells Inlet, SC or The Wounded Warrior Project.

And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years and then forevermore

“Bless the Lord,” by Matt Redman

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