Obituary of Victor H. Schumacher

Dr. Victor H. Schumacher, a long-time resident of Madison, NJ (also of Norwood, NJ and Baldwinsville, NY), passed away at 91 on February 19, 2025, following a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Bette A. (Rees) Schumacher. He is survived by his children, Janet (Schumacher) Loughman and her husband Kevin of Lebanon Township, NJ, Thomas Schumacher and his wife Mary Bridget Mansfield of Juneau, AK, and Robert Schumacher and his wife Elena Hershey of Boulder, CO; four grandchildren, Margaret (Loughman) Philips and her husband William, Emily Loughman, Eric Schumacher, and Claire Schumacher, and two great-grandchildren, Samuel Philips and Jane Philips. 

Vic was born in New York City on October 8, 1933, to Victor and Theresa (Schranz) Schumacher. Soon after, the family relocated to Cliffside Park, NJ where Vic graduated from Cliffside Park High School with the Class of 1951. After graduation, Vic enlisted in the US Navy and served during the Korean War and Cold War on the destroyer USS Monssen, DD798, where he attained the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class. 

After discharge from the Navy, Vic’s extensive education included Montclair State University’s Panzer School of Physical Education and Health (BA 1959); Teachers College, Columbia University (MA 1965 and a Professional Diploma in Education, 1972); and Nova University (Doctor of Education, 1987). Vic enjoyed a long and fulfilling career in education, beginning as a physical education teacher, followed by principal and many other administrative positions in the Demarest, NJ, Blauvelt, NY, Baldwinsville, NY, Summit, NJ, Chatham Borough, NJ, Garwood, NJ., and South Orange-Maplewood, NJ school districts. 

Vic retired in 2002 but remained active in the education field as adjunct faculty for Nova Southeastern University, Field Representative for the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, Mentor in the New Jersey Leaders to Leaders Program, President of the Morris County Chapter of the New Jersey Association of Curriculum and Supervision, and member of the Montclair State University Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa.

In addition to his roles as husband, father, educator, and leader in professional service organizations, Vic was actively involved in community service as Little League coach, Scoutmaster of Madison Troop 25, overseeing renovation of the Madison Junior School, and serving on the Madison Borough Council, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Downtown Development Commission. 

Vic contributed to Madison community organizations up until his passing. He was an active member of the Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps, for which he took shifts as a driver into 2024 and served as vice president of the Board. He served as Board President of the Madison-Chatham Adult School, where he also led an Alzheimer’s and Dementia support group. Vic was a 50-year member of the Madison United Methodist Church, where he served as President of the Board of Trustees and chaired the Council on Ministries and the Property Committee including overseeing an ongoing renovation. Finally, Vic maintained his connection with the US Navy through the Navy League as Destroyer Squadron Commander (DESRON 1), New Jersey Chapter of the Tin Can Sailors. 

Over his long and busy life, Vic touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed. A celebration of life will be held at the United Methodist Church (24 Madison Ave., Madison, NJ) at 11:00 on Saturday, April 12th, followed by a luncheon at Fellowship Hall. Private interment will be at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Vic requested that donations be made to the Memorial Fund of the Madison United Methodist Church.

Arrangements were under the care of Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home, Madison, NJ.