Fritz “joined the USAF in July 1952 and became a fighter pilot. Among other commendations received during his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He served tours of duty in the U.S., Japan, Vietnam, and a NATO tour in Germany. He proudly served for 23 years.
After retirement from the Air Force he moved to Stratham, NH where he became Vice President of a research and development firm. In 1988 he moved to Marco Island, FL and joined the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol serving as Squadron Commander. After moving to Williamsburg he joined the Newport News Squadron, served as Operations Officer and evaluator. He also was a member and volunteer of the Christopher Wren Association and a member of the Virginia Aeronautical Historic Society.” (1)
Source: (1) The Marblehead Reporter from Jun. 18 to Jun. 25, 2011
Donald R. “Fritz” Schaller, Maj USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on June 11, 2011.
Donald “Fritz” Schaller, 80, a resident of Williamsburg, Va. since 1996, passed away on June 11, 2011 after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. He was born in Beverly, in 1930 to the late Irvin R. Schaller and Harriett Wade. He grew up in Marblehead, and graduated from Marblehead High School in 1948 and the University of Southern Massachusetts in New Bedford, where he earned a degree in chemistry.
He joined the USAF in July 1952 and became a fighter pilot. Among other commendations received during his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He served tours of duty in the U.S., Japan, Vietnam, and a NATO tour in Germany. He proudly served for 23 years.
After retirement from the Air Force he moved to Stratham, NH where he became Vice President of a research and development firm. In 1988 he moved to Marco Island, FL and joined the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol serving as Squadron Commander. After moving to Williamsburg he joined the Newport News Squadron, served as Operations Officer and evaluator. He also was a member and volunteer of the Christopher Wren Association and a member of the Virginia Aeronautical Historic Society.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Catharina “Ineke” Schaller; his sister-in-law, Marlene Siemers, his brother-in-law, Herman (Irene) Siemers, his nephew, Bastiaan (Clementine) and their children, Tim and Jasmijn, his niece, Maaike, all in the Netherlands, and his cousin, Debrah Leahy of Beverly, and many friends.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 17, 2011 at 2 p.m., at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg. Mr. Schaller [was] interred at Arlington National Cemetery on October 12, 2011.
Published by The Marblehead Reporter from Jun. 18 to Jun. 25, 2011.
