Donald Schatz

Donald Schatz, 87, Bismarck, died November 17, 2017, at Sanford Health, Bismarck. A graveside service will be held at 12:00 Noon Tuesday, November 28, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Donald Dean Schatz was born September 1, 1930, NW of Washburn, ND, to Jake and Minnie Schatz. The family moved to Bismarck when he was six years old. Don started selling newspapers between 4th and 6th Street in downtown Bismarck and at age 11 he started working for several local family owned grocery stores until after high school. Don served in the Air Force from 1950 until 1955. He attended communication specialist schools and was in charge of Charlie Flight at the Pentagon, overseeing 65 airmen and women. While at the Pentagon, he was part of the Honor Flight for Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, and many foreign dignitaries. Don became a communication specialist in 1951 and received four promotions with honors. He had many special assignments which placed him in Japan and Korea plus countless Far East counties during his deployment. Don was honorably discharged in 1955 when he returned to Bismarck and began his career in the postal service. It was on one of his training assignments at the State Capitol that he met the love of his life, Joan French. They were married on June 2, 1957. Don continued his studies in accounting and became an accountant for the local post office. In 1967, Don began working for the Chicago region of the postal service as a revenue specialist. Don worked in seven states and in 1974 returned to North Dakota moving to Minot, ND, where he was promoted to Director of Finance for NW North Dakota. Don and Joan returned to Bismarck in 1982 where he was assigned the position of Director of Human Resources for western North Dakota with offices in the Federal Building. In 1988, he retired after 40 years of government service. He and Joan enjoyed their time traveling, watching sports, and visiting Arizona. Joan passed away after 58 years of marriage on February 21, 2015. Don is survived by his brother, Millard (Donna) Schatz, Fargo; sister, Donna (Earl) Erickson, Bismarck; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan; his parents, Jake and Minnie Schatz; his in-laws, Leslie and Edna French; sister, Mavis Anderson; and a niece and nephew.