Michael Glenn Schuler

Michael Glenn Schuler, generous, caring, loving, strong, and independent, died suddenly of a heart attack at his home in Bozeman, Montana, on June 25, 2023. He was 65.

Concerned about homelessness, especially for the humans and animals in Bozeman, Michael would pay for persons' rooms so they could spend a night in a hotel and get off the streets. He rescued his dog from an animal shelter after it had been saved as a puppy left to die in the wild. He never passed up a lost pet without trying to help it. Yet, through it all, he managed to be fun loving. He found reasons to have neighbors in his home to enjoy each other's company. He loved sharing stories with them and wanting them to have a good time.

Michael's home was full of pets and plants, for which he thrived while caring for them. He had a table in his office with a grow light, a gift from his step-daughter-in-law. There he watched the cuttings, amazed, if they would take root so he could plant them. There were aquariums and cages, too. He loved watching and feeding them. Of course, he had bird feeders on the porches. And these friendly creatures would not fly away when he refilled their stations. Their bird songs and chirping surrounded the house.

The yard was well cared for, and flowerpots flourished. He loved planting seeds, especially the sunflower seeds he received from his step-niece this year. Also, in the yard were wildflowers and ferns that he tended.

Michael's personality could be intense when he fixated on a particular concern or value. It showed in his writing journals and his love for publishing the paper he owned, The Montana Pioneer. Michael loved his daughters, Marisa and Katherine, from his first marriage to Nina Heckman, who has been a wonderful mother to their daughters. He was a private person who valued his time alone and needed it.

Fly fishing and camping in the mountains in his RV were times that he treasured with his wife, Faye McDonough, and his dog, Bonnie. He was an all-year outdoorsman, fishing even through the winter in the nearby creeks and rivers. And, when Faye couldn't be with him to camp in the RV, he took his dog and searched for remote areas to enjoy the mountain air and streams.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1958, to Bruce Schuler and Jessica Helfrich Schuler, Michael took pride in his first years in Anne Arundel County of growing up at his grandmother's home and subsequent move to Baltimore County as a youth. Myrtle Helfrich, Michael’s grandmother, owned and operated her business, Sunnyfields, on her property. Later she moved it to Falls Road in Baltimore, and the business continued with Michael's family until it was sold to Delbert Adams and Taylor Classen in 2014. Michael attended 12 years of elementary and high school at St. Paul's School for Boys in Baltimore, where he graduated in 1976, developed his athletic skills, and toned his character. He graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1982, being chosen as a United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association All-American player. Michael always said his most significant achievement was a certificate from the American Red Cross for transporting a fellow teammate to the hospital after recognizing he wasn't breathing correctly from an injury, and alerting the trainer, whereby Michael helped save the young man's life.

After graduation, Michael worked for his dad but gradually wanted to change directions to teach, and he returned to work at St. Paul's School for Boys. He taught math and eventually became their Middle School Principal. His work in education continued at the following schools as the Head of School: Francis Parker School, Goshen, KY; Da Vinci Academy, Elgin, IL; Kent School, Chestertown, MD; and Bozeman Summit School, Bozeman, MT.

Michael loved living wherever there was a fishing stream or river. He developed his cooking and grilling skills and played the drums. He reached out to everyone who would listen to his stories and shared a smile. And he loved his family, who will deeply mourn his passing.

He is survived by his father, Bruce Schuler of Sarasota, FL; also his family members in Baltimore, MD, which include his brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Megan Schuler, and his nephews and niece, Seth, Brad, and Claire Schuler; Michael's former wife and mother of his children and her husband, Nina and Mark Heckman; Michael's older daughter and her husband, Marisa and Andy Peters, and his younger daughter, Katherine Schuler.

Preceded in death are Michael's mother, Jessica Helfrich Schuler, his brother, David Schuler, and his brother-in-law, John Hoffman.

Also in sadness are Michael's wife, Faye McDonough, his stepchildren, and in-laws. They are his stepson and step-daughter-in-law, Peter McDonough and Alyson de la Cruz of Chicago, IL; stepdaughter and step-son-in-law, Katherine McDonough and Ben Burwinkel of Columbus OH. Also included are Michael's brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law and their spouses: Randy and Regina Hoffman of Redwood City, CA; Lynn and Terry Ridgeway of Buffalo, WY; Donna and Bill Quilligan of Indianapolis, IN, and many step-nieces and step-nephews. Finally, two of Michael's step-nieces and their families live in Bozeman, MT, and have joined many family celebrations with him. They are Carrie and Cory Lawrence and their children, Jack, Kate, Mimi, and grandson Liam; along with Laura and Kyle Dornberger and their children Karl and Kya.

Many Bozeman and Baltimore neighbors, friends, and teachers who worked with Michael or Faye are appreciated for all their support during this time.

The family requests donations in Michael's honor to be made to Bozeman's Gallatin Valley Food Bank, The Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter, or a gift to their nonprofit choice.

The Bozeman Memorial Gathering will be held at Headwaters Academy's lawn in the back of the Homestead House, 1005 Durston Rd., on Sunday, July 9, at 2:00 p.m.

The Baltimore Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul's School for Boys' Chapel, 11152 Falls Rd., Brooklandville, MD, on Saturday, July 29, at 11:00 a.m. Michael's burial will be at a later date.

You did good, Michael. We will miss you.