Albert Philip Shulte passed away May 4, 2017, at the age 82. He was married to Joann Shulte (Holtan) for 60 years.
Al lived in Waterford, Michigan, for 50 years. He was a member of Bethany Baptist Church for almost 50 years and frequently held leadership positions there and in the American Baptist Churches of Michigan. Al’s faith ran deep. He had come to Christ in high school through a campus program run by a man named Paul. Al did not speak much about his faith, rather he lived it. He deeply considered everything he did to be in step with being a Christian.
Al was known and loved in his position as a math educator for Oakland Schools. He was active in many mathematics associations, including the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics, and International Conference on Teaching Statistics. In addition, he wrote a number of mathematics text books, including What Are My Chances? Al was most proud of his contribution to getting statistics into curriculum in elementary teaching nationwide. Dr. Shulte, as he was professionally known, also taught as an adjunct professor at many area universities, including Wayne State and the University of Michigan. He was known for having a brilliant mind, and he used it to teach others keys to knowledge.
For the last 20 years, Al mentored elementary students in reading and math as part of the HUGS program at Riverside School in Waterford. He loved his continued work with children, especially when he was able to work with math education.
Al was born in Vacaville, California, and grew up in California and Oregon. He has one sister, Phylis Rice (Shulte), 10 years younger than himself. He took care of her and raised her, as his parents were often gone and unavailable. She speaks of his great dedication to family, which started early. Al, himself, when starting school in first grade, could already read, so he was promoted a couple of grade levels. He attended Springfield High School and Graduated in 1951 at age 16. Going on to college, he earned a bachelor’s in mathematics (1955) and a master’s in education (1956) from Linfield College, another master’s in mathematics (1960), and a doctorate in math education from the University of Michigan (1967). Al worked his way through school, particularly working night shifts in a cannery. He also received scholarships and fellowships through his brilliant academic career.
He met his wife, Joann Holtan, at Linfield College. They were married after her sophomore year, on August 12, 1956, at McMinnville Baptist Church. They spent their first year in California, where he taught high-school math. Next, they returned to McMinnville for Joann to finish college, while he taught math and science in a neighboring town. Continuing his education at the University of Michigan was the original reason they moved to Michigan.
Al was an avid fan of the Pistons and Tigers and enjoyed many years of season tickets. He, himself, was active in sports throughout his life, playing softball, tennis, and golf.
He loved a wide variety of music. He took seven years of piano as a youth. He frequently attended folk concerts, with the Ark in Ann Arbor a favorite venue. Al and Joann were active in the Paint Creek Folklore Society. Additionally, a connoisseur of classical music, Al was a season ticket holder for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra with his wife. His commitment to music and the arts was constant.
At the age of 10, Al had taken a ride in a plane. When in his 40s, he finally began a lifelong dream of learning to fly. He took his solo flight and eventually bought a small plane. After a few years, the plane needed a lot of repairs, so he sold it and continued to fly, but not as frequently. He had a good friend, Jerry, who would go flying with him. When his friend developed health issues and had to give up flying, Al did as well, because the relationship was more important than the activity. They met for breakfast instead of going flying for several years.
Al had a varied ethnic heritage of English, Irish, Dutch, and probably German, but most identified with his Scottish ancestry. He went to Highland games and encouraged both daughters to learn Highland dancing, which they did. His grandmother was a MacDougall, and he proudly wore that tartan in a jacket Joann made for him.
Al was also a generous man. Not only did Al give his tithe to his church, he gave donations to many organizations. He believed in supporting the World Wildlife Fund and had a strong sense of morality to protect creatures of the earth with which god had blessed us. He also gave to many Native-American programs, veteran programs, and a variety of missions. Feeling strongly that the word of God needed to be given to the world, he was a strong supporter of The American Bible Society.
Al and Joann were world travelers, usually to math organization events as he continually used his personal funds to extend his own learning and promote math education issues internationally. Their travels covered most of the US and Canada, including Hawaii for their 25th anniversary. Additionally, they traveled to Australia, throughout Europe, into Eastern Bloc countries, Egypt, and Morocco. Their home is filled with artistic mementos of these travels. Al was particularly interested in learning about other people and cultures. He would learn the local pronunciation of places he visited and interesting historical facts.
Most of all, Al was dedicated and had personal integrity. He was a true man of character and great stature. He was a self-proclaimed eccentric and true intellectual. This was a man who made a difference.
One of Al’s favorite stories was of the boy throwing starfish back into the ocean. When a person told this boy it was useless, he could not make a difference as there were hundreds of starfish on the shore, the boy’s answer was, “Well, I made a difference to this one,” and he tossed one in. Al was a starfish thrower. He made a difference one starfish at a time.
Al is survived by sister Phylis Rice (Shulte); daughters Sharon Alair Bergman and Vickie (Paul) Armstrong; grandchildren William and David Armstrong and Alair and Robert Bergman; niece and nephew Jeralyn (Jason) Cleary and Michael Rice; and grandnieces and nephew Jessie, Cailin, and Thomas. Al and Joann also opened their home and welcomed others to participate as family. One such person was Kyle Forrest. Al was a strong supporter of his family and is deeply loved and missed by all.
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