Obituary for B. Michael Schaul
B. Michael Schaul, 77 of Tyrone, PA, and previously of, Mechanicsburg, PA, passed peacefully in his sleep on March 25 after a brief hospice care.
He is survived by a niece and nephew, Angela M. Schaul-Whetstine (Scott), W. Timothy Schaul (Angela R. nee Scornienchi), two great nieces, Samantha Rogers (Matthew) and Gabrielle Whetstine, a great-great niece, Vivian L., cousins, including The Byers, Moffet, and Igou families, and many cherished business colleagues, friends, and golfing partners. Michael was pre-deceased by his parents, William L. Schaul and Vivian L. (nee Reese) Schaul, and his brother, William L. Schaul II.
Michael was born on July 4, 1946, in Tyrone, PA. He was a graduate of Tyrone High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and served his country in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1967. Michael often told the tale of Christmas in Vietnam with his Tyrone High School buddies, where the families mailed Christmas dinner, and despite being in various areas, were able to come together and enjoy fellowship and a little bit of home. He cherished these high school friendships and maintained them throughout his lifetime.
After his service, he enrolled at Shippensburg University, graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and went on to earn a Master’s in Public Administration in 1972.
Michael began a career in public service with the Southern Allegheny Commission in 1971. He retired from state government in 1989 as a Deputy Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the Governor’s Response Team. As Deputy Secretary, Michael managed and directed the Commonwealth’s business development offices in Tokyo, London, Brussels, and Frankfurt, and traveled extensively to induce business investment in Pennsylvania and promote the sale of Pennsylvania goods and services.
In 1990 Michael took his public sector experiences and expertise to the private sector and founded Economic Strategies Group, Ltd. (The ESCEM Group). Through the ESCEM Group, he provided support to companies, considering expansion, diversification and relocation of manufacturing and distribution operations throughout the United States and abroad. In 1994 he co-founded Wetlands Habitat Management, Inc.
Throughout his public service and private sector careers Michael served on several not-for-profit and government related organizations, including the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, Shippensburg University as a Trustee and Chair, and Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.
While Michael enjoyed traveling during his leisure time to destinations that provided cultural opportunities and skiing, his passion was finding opportunities to golf. Introduced to the game by his friend and business colleague, Jim Bowman, in 1980 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, his first round of 129 was quickly erased, and his golf trips included playing Pine Valley, Pebble Beach and too many courses to list in Florida and South Carolina.
Michael maintained memberships at both the West Shore Country Club and Hershey Country Club. While he was always looking for additional playing partners, for the past 25 years, Michael could be found on most weekends playing golf with Ray Hoover, Denny Rowe, and John Sempeles.
Michael was famous for making his presence known and then quietly exiting social gatherings. His presence will be remembered fondly and deeply missed by family and many dear friends. Contributions in his honor may be made to Shippensburg University Foundation/General Scholarship Fund. Mailing address: Shippensburg University Foundation, 500 Newburg Rd, Shippensburg PA 17257.
He is survived by a niece and nephew, Angela M. Schaul-Whetstine (Scott), W. Timothy Schaul (Angela R. nee Scornienchi), two great nieces, Samantha Rogers (Matthew) and Gabrielle Whetstine, a great-great niece, Vivian L., cousins, including The Byers, Moffet, and Igou families, and many cherished business colleagues, friends, and golfing partners. Michael was pre-deceased by his parents, William L. Schaul and Vivian L. (nee Reese) Schaul, and his brother, William L. Schaul II.
Michael was born on July 4, 1946, in Tyrone, PA. He was a graduate of Tyrone High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and served his country in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1967. Michael often told the tale of Christmas in Vietnam with his Tyrone High School buddies, where the families mailed Christmas dinner, and despite being in various areas, were able to come together and enjoy fellowship and a little bit of home. He cherished these high school friendships and maintained them throughout his lifetime.
After his service, he enrolled at Shippensburg University, graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and went on to earn a Master’s in Public Administration in 1972.
Michael began a career in public service with the Southern Allegheny Commission in 1971. He retired from state government in 1989 as a Deputy Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the Governor’s Response Team. As Deputy Secretary, Michael managed and directed the Commonwealth’s business development offices in Tokyo, London, Brussels, and Frankfurt, and traveled extensively to induce business investment in Pennsylvania and promote the sale of Pennsylvania goods and services.
In 1990 Michael took his public sector experiences and expertise to the private sector and founded Economic Strategies Group, Ltd. (The ESCEM Group). Through the ESCEM Group, he provided support to companies, considering expansion, diversification and relocation of manufacturing and distribution operations throughout the United States and abroad. In 1994 he co-founded Wetlands Habitat Management, Inc.
Throughout his public service and private sector careers Michael served on several not-for-profit and government related organizations, including the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, Shippensburg University as a Trustee and Chair, and Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.
While Michael enjoyed traveling during his leisure time to destinations that provided cultural opportunities and skiing, his passion was finding opportunities to golf. Introduced to the game by his friend and business colleague, Jim Bowman, in 1980 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, his first round of 129 was quickly erased, and his golf trips included playing Pine Valley, Pebble Beach and too many courses to list in Florida and South Carolina.
Michael maintained memberships at both the West Shore Country Club and Hershey Country Club. While he was always looking for additional playing partners, for the past 25 years, Michael could be found on most weekends playing golf with Ray Hoover, Denny Rowe, and John Sempeles.
Michael was famous for making his presence known and then quietly exiting social gatherings. His presence will be remembered fondly and deeply missed by family and many dear friends. Contributions in his honor may be made to Shippensburg University Foundation/General Scholarship Fund. Mailing address: Shippensburg University Foundation, 500 Newburg Rd, Shippensburg PA 17257.