Thomas (Tim) F. Schatzman Jr.'s Obituary
Thomas (Tim) F Schatzman, Jr went to be with God on February 8, 2022, at the age of 84. Tim was born in St Louis, MO to parents Thomas F and Jane Ring Schatzman on November 18, 1937. Tim graduated from West Point in 1960 and served as a US Army officer for 22 years. He was an Airborne Ranger and served two tours in Vietnam - the first with the Vietnamese 30th and 35th Ranger Battalions and the second with the 101st Airborne division. Tim served as a Ranger Battalion Advisor and Assistant Ranger District Advisor during a period when American advisors were assigned to Vietnamese Battalions and were often isolated and on their own. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart. Throughout his lifetime he strove to live out the West Point values of “Duty, Honor, Country.” Tim continued this lifestyle in his subsequent careers as a stockbroker/asset manager and a professor/dean of students.
He was fortunate enough to meet Judy and enjoy 60 years of marriage with her. Transition was a theme in their marriage as they lived in 24 different homes. Tim was always amazed at Judy’s ability to resettle, meet the demands of army life, and to be both mother and father while Tim was deployed on various assignments. Tim not only loved Judy well, but also admired her. She truly was the love of his life.
Tim was devoted to his family. His four sons were blessed to have him as their dad. He loved them well as he spent countless hours coaching their teams and watching their events. He modeled self-sacrifice and taught his four sons the importance of treating women with respect. He always took an interest in the lives of his family and was quick to encourage them, affirm them and tell them he loved them.
Tim was a lifelong learner having earned a BS from West Point (USMA), an MA from the University of Texas in political science and international relations, and an EdD from the University of New Mexico in training and learning development. He instilled in others a love for learning as well. He served as an advocate for multiple childhood literacy programs and was a volunteer in The Reading Road Show of Fayetteville. He believed that giving young children a hunger to learn equipped them for success in life.
Tim treated all people with dignity and honor, regardless of their status in life. People felt important, listened to and valued in his presence. He loved to help people in need to overcome the hurdles they faced as he volunteered with Cooperative Emergency Outreach (CEO), an interfaith outreach which assists underprivileged residents of Washington County.
Tim and Judy moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2005 and felt instantly welcomed. He was always appreciative of the staff and residents of Butterfield Trail Village for their friendship and love. The family would like to express gratitude to the staff of Butterfield Trail Village for their treatment and care for him in the last period of his life.
Tim is survived by his wife Judith Ann Schatzman; four sons and their wives Todd (Cyndi), Mark (Lisa), Mike (Suzanne), and Steve (Daina); 13 grandchildren, Kayla Tedder (Daniel), Stephanie Schatzman-Bone (Brett), Ryan Schatzman, Carson Schatzman, Reid Schatzman (Meagan), Kristen Schatzman, Grant Schatzman, Emma Lacy (Everett), Cader Schatzman, Molly Schatzman, Judson Schatzman, Parker Schatzman and Laynie Schatzman; 5 great-grandchildren, London Tedder, Oliver Tedder, Lucy Tedder, Caroline Tedder and Eleanor Tedder; and his brother, Chris. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, John and Kevin.
A celebration of life ceremony will be held at 10:00am on February 18 at Butterfield Trail Village. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Butterfield Trail Village Foundation designated for the Employee Scholarship Fund or to Cooperative Emergency Outreach (www.ceofayetteville.org).
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