Derald M. Schultz’s 37-year career at Illinois Bell Telephone Co. was matched by his involvement with the Countryside Association for People with Disabilities.
“He always thought that he had been given a lot and he wanted to give back to the community,” said his daughter, Kerin Montgomery. “He always felt that was something that people should do.”
Mr. Schultz, 78, of Lake Barrington, died of pancreatic cancer Sunday, June 18.
He was involved with the Countryside Association for 38 years, his family said, as director and treasurer, most recently helping with endowments and foundations. The Palatine-based organization helps secure jobs for the disabled.
“He was very active in working not only as a board member but working with the clients at Countryside,” his daughter said.
Last month, the organization named Mr. Schultz volunteer of the year, his family said.
At Illinois Bell, he began in the comptroller’s department handling accounting, finance and, in later years, information systems.
“He was deeply respected and loved by all the people that worked with him and for him,” said Joe Abel, a former colleague. “He was one of those affable, forward-looking and creative guys that was always moving things to a new level of accomplishment.
“He was very collaborative and was able to get a lot of things done.”
Mr. Schultz retired from Ameritech Services as vice president of information systems in 1988.
He was born in Ortonville, Minn., and raised by his grandmother in Maywood. He graduated from Proviso High School in 1941 in absentia, because he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in the Pacific.
“He was a very patriotic guy,” his daughter said.
After two years in the service, he went to Elmhurst College, where he played football and basketball and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration. After his retirement, he received the Alumni Merit Award and was elected to the alumni board.
He married Esther, his college sweetheart, in 1951. After living in Chicago and Skokie, the couple moved to Barrington in 1964.
Upon retirement from the phone company, he helped found the Illinois Bell Retired Executives Club, which met annually and corresponded regularly to keep up to date on the company, which went through many mergers and transformations over the years.
Mr. Schultz was on the Zoning Board in Lake Barrington and volunteered at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington. He also was on the board of directors at First Federal Savings and Loan in Barrington.
Other survivors include two sons, Kurt and Kyle; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Presbyterian Church of Barrington, 6 Brinker Rd., Barrington. A service will follow.
