Gerald Hans Schumann

Gerald Hans Schumann, 85, of Bayonne, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 11, 2016, at Bayonne Medical Center.  Born in Schenectady, NY, on July 31, 1930, to German immigrant parents, Mr. Schumann grew up in Sidney, NY and resided in Staten Island for many years, before moving to Bayonne in 2000.

A lifelong scholar and lover of learning, Gerald earned a B.S. from Penn State University in Electrical Engineering in 1956, a M.Ed. in Secondary Education and Physics from Ohio University, a M.A. from Columbia University in International Education, and a certificate of Advanced Studies from NYU. 

Gerald was a Korean War Veteran, serving as an active duty member of the United States Army from 1948 to 1952. He then served in the Army Reserve until 1963. Trained as a Special Forces Reserve Paratrooper, he made several international peace and friendship airborne jumps.  Gerald was an advocate for world peace. He also served 20 years with the NY Guard and NY Guardsmen, Staten Island, being promoted to Honorary Colonel and receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.

In response to President Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, Gerald joined the Peace Corps and served in Cameroon for two years, and was most proud of sponsoring three of his students for attendance at American Graduate Schools to advance their respective studies. He later returned to Cameroon in 2002 where he was so touched when an Information Technology Center in his name was dedicated at the Golden Jubilee of Ombe Technical High School.

Upon returning from Cameroon, he began his career as an electrical engineer. He then became a mathematics and physics teacher for 20 years in the NYC High School System, receiving the UFT Ely Trachtenberg Award for outstanding service. Upon retirement, he became a professor at the College of Staten Island, enjoying that role for 20 years until 2007.

Gerald was a lifelong member of the American Legion, Korean War Veterans, and was also a member of the VFW Joyce Herbert Post 226, Bayonne.   He started running at 49 and completed the NYC Marathon 19 times.  Gerald was a long time runner with the Staten Island Athletic Club.  He also enjoyed triathlons, skiing, dancing, travel and German singing with the Rheinischer Sangerbund.

He was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, Bayonne.

Gerald's mission in life was to know that he made a difference in someone's life and to leave this world in better shape.  His mottos were "Pray for peace.....Never give up......Airborne all the way".

Gerald is survived by his devoted wife for 33 years, Charlotte (nee: Guarine); his loving daughter, Ingrid Adams (Bob) of Seattle; his stepchildren, Anna, Dominic and Gina Restuccio; his step grandson, Joseph Brown; and his brother, Rolf Schumann.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 836 Avenue C, Bayonne, NJ. 

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