The UW-Madison community mourns the loss of Emeritus Professor of History Stanley Schultz, who died on December 8, 2020. He was 82.
Schultz taught American History at UW-Madison from 1967 until his retirement in 2005, after which he taught another year as an emeritus professor. He was popular with students—he won a Distinguished Teaching Award during his nearly four-decade career as a professor—and was also active, after his retirement, in community projects that promoted teachers and education. In 2008, he was an active participant in “Life During Wartime,” a U.S. Department of Education-funded program designed to improve Wisconsin history teachers’ knowledge and understanding of American History.
“Stan Schultz was a superb teacher and a dedicated member of our faculty,” says William J. Reese, the Carl F. Kaestle W.A.R.F. and Vilas Research Professor of History, who knew Schultz for more than 40 years. “Deeply committed to teaching and academic excellence, Stan was a star in the classroom, inspiring many thousands of students during his long career. I’ll always remember his encouraging manner and generous spirit.”
Schultz served as the historical fact checker on ”The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart's 2004 book, "America: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction." (He also appeared on stage with Stewart during a book promotion tour.) Schultz was the author of two books: The Culture Factory: Boston Public Schools, 1789-1860 in 1973, and Constructing Urban Culture: American Cities and City Planning, 1800-1920 in 1989.
David McDonald, the Alice D. Mortenson/Petrovich Distinguished Chair of Russian History, first met Schultz in 1988. He remembers him as an early adopter of technology, whether it was jumping feet-first into email or pioneering streaming and recorded lectures, often produced by his longtime collaborator, media specialist William Tishler, who now works for the Division of Continuing Studies. Schultz was among the first professors in Wisconsin to have a history video course broadcast on local and state television. Years later, he was among the first to offer an online history course.
“I quickly learned that he was a legendary and devoted teacher, the possessor of a sharp, often jaded, sense of humor and a supportive colleague, at least to this rookie,” McDonald recalls.
Schultz is survived by three sons, who live in California, and two stepsons, who live in Wisconsin.