In Memoriam: James David Schlumpf

From Hoyt Funeral Home.

James David Schlumpf, age 85, a longtime resident of New Canaan, died peacefully Tuesday evening October 27, 2015 at Norwalk Hospital.

Born in Evansville, IN, October 11, 1930, he was the son of the late Albert Elmer and Margaret Heseman Schlumpf and the husband of Suzanne Coglizer Schlumpf.

Jim met Susie while he was pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering at Purdue University. He and his family moved to 14 cities while he worked first for Standard Oil and then IBM. They finally “got it right” when they moved to New Canaan in 1973.

He retired after 31 years with IBM in 1987 and began to pursue his passion for volunteerism. He was a member and leader of countless clubs and organizations including but not limited to the Poinsettia Club, Exchange Club, Gridiron, Senior’s Men’s, and presided for 13 years as a New Canaan Police Commissioner.

He was honored in 2011 as a Distinguished Senior Man of New Canaan “in recognition of thousands of hours of unpaid volunteer service.” “Jim [went] far above and beyond the average both as a worker and in leadership positions.”

He brought the same devotion to his large family, starting the tradition of an annual family reunion to Holden Beach, NC (a tradition that lives on over thirty years later). His commitment to family and hard work is well summed up by a favorite quote of Abraham Lincoln’s, “I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.”

In addition to Suzanne, his wife of 63 years, Jim is survived by his three children, John and his wife Lynn of Lexington, KY, Laura of Woodstock, GA, and Robert and his wife Althea of Marysville, WA, seven grandchildren (Jennifer, David, Tia, Michael, Stephen, Katelin, and AJ) and three great-grandchildren (Brandon, Kylie, and Natalie).

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, November 6, 2015 at 1:00PM in the Congregational Church of New Canaan, Park St., New Canaan.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or to the charity of your choice.