Howard Schlundt

Howard Arnold Schlundt, naval aviator, trusted businessman, respected civic leader, loyal and trusted friend, farmer, rancher, loving family man, and onetime resident of La Porte, 86, died June 9, 2007 at his home in Riverside, California, with family by his side. The story of Howard?s wonderful life began on May 6, 1921. The son of Fred C. and Johanna Werner Schlundt, he was born and raised on a farm in La Porte, Indiana. He started his education in the one-room Banks School, attended Westville High School for three of his four high school years, and ultimately graduated from Union Mills High School in 1939. After graduation, Howard became an apprentice electrician and worked at the Kingsbury Ordnance Plant. Late in the summer of 1942, Howard went to Chicago and joined the Armed Forces. This marked the beginning of a thoroughly enjoyable 23-year military career as a World War II Naval Aviator. After serving seven years on Active Duty, Howard participated in the Naval Air Reserve Training Program as a rated jet fighter pilot and flight instructor until he retired with the rank of Navy Captain. He was Commanding Officer of VF/VA 773 for three years and flew out of Duty Stations in Corpus Christi TX, Pensacola FL, Olathe KS, and Los Alamitos CA. He logged over 6, 000 Navy flight hours and was qualified on 19 different aircraft, including the P40 Warhawk, the F4U Corsair, and the A4D Skyhawk. His last flight was December 28, 1965. Upon retiring from Active Duty in 1950, Howard attended Kansas University, where he received Bachelor?s and Master?s degrees in Business and graduated first in his class. In 1954, Howard made the move west and began his professional career as a Certified Public Accountant with the Riverside, California firm B.R. Sharp & Company, where he worked for two years. Howard moved his business to Perris, California in 1957 and operated a private practice for 20 years. In 1977, Howard went into a partnership and eventually sold the business to his partner five years later and planned to continue working for him for just another few years until he reached 65. However, Howard?s interest in and loyalty to his clients, turned friends, overruled and he continued to work in his partner?s firms until he turned 80. Over his 47-year career, Howard concentrated his efforts in the areas he enjoyed most: Farm accounting and taxation, and management of family farming operations; Estate, Gift, and Trust planning, accounting and taxation; Real Estate accounting and taxation; and Individual and Partnership general accounting, tax planning and tax return preparation. His 80th birthday and retirement in 2001 were marked with a celebration in a Perris city park that was named ?Howard Schlundt Park? in his honor in 1991 located adjacent to his office building. Howard was a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Estate Planning Council of Riverside County; a member and past director of the California Society of CPAs; a past President of the Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce, The Perris Rotary Club, the Citrus Belt Chapter of the California Society of CPAs, and of the Forty Sixth District Agricultural Association Farmer?s Fair, now known as the Southern California Fair. He was integral to the establishment of the Fair?s Livestock Auction Support Pool which has supported 4H and FFA members for over 30 years. Howard didn?t play golf, collect stamps or partake in any of the ?normal? weekend activities. His ?hobby? was his clients ? checking how the newborn lambs were doing, seeing what the cream content was of feed variations of his dairy clients, checking out a farmer?s new tractor, or chasing down contributors to the Auction Support Pool were how he enjoyed spending his free time. Because of his genuine interest in and special attention to his clients and even his tenants, it is no surprise that they were all more appropriately called friends. Having been born and raised on a farm, Howard had an innate passion for farming and ranching. He owned, operated, custom farmed and cash rented several farms over his lifetime, primarily in Rochester and Knox, Indiana, but also in Nevada and California. Howard was the first in his family to go to college and has always remained committed to the importance of an education. Over the years, Howard encouraged the pursuit of education by financially rewarding his many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren upon their graduations. His other favorite activities included horseback riding and delivering strawberries to anyone who would enjoy them. Howard was always devoted to his family. Howard is survived by his two daughters Ellen Woolfson of Riverside, CA, and Carolyn Melka of Bonsall, CA, their husbands Greg Woolfson and John C. Melka, his two granddaughters Amanda and Kenda Woolfson of Riverside, CA, his brother Russell Frederick Schlundt of La Porte, IN. His loving wife and childhood sweetheart, Christena Lindborg Schlundt, to whom he was married for 50 years and who was also from La Porte County, preceded him in death in 2004. In reverence to Howard?s full and wonderful life, a viewing will be held on Sunday, June 17, 4:00p.m.-8:00 p.m. CST at Haverstock Funeral Home, 602 Maple Avenue, La Porte. A graveside service and interment will be held at 11:00 a.m. CST on Monday, June 18 at Pine Lake Cemetery, 1367 Pine Lake Road, La Porte. Immediately following the graveside service, a pictorial tribute to Howard and a luncheon will take place at the St. Paul Church of Christ, 1101 Lincolnway State Road 2, La Porte. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that contributions be made to the Southern California Fair Livestock Auction Support Pool, c/o Kuebler, Prudhomme & Co., 43500 Ridge Park Drive, Suite 104, Temecula, CA 92590, Attn: Linda Bartholomew. HAVERSTOCK FUNERAL HOME 219-362-3333 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Howard A. Schlundt please visit our Sympathy Store.