Beverly Adolph was born July 16, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan, United States to Adolph Louis and Matilda Marie (Kaufman) Schultz. He was an only child.
Bev’s father, Adolph was born 1899 in Bentinck Township. When Bev was born the Schultz family was living at 2400 18th Street in Detroit and Adolph was working as a Metal Finisher at a Motor Car Co. The little Schultz family were also living with Adolph’s brother John A. who was born in 1896 as well as a lodger by the surname of McLachlan.
Bev’s mother Matilda was born in 1903 also in Bentinck. Aside from Matilda’s Mother, who was born in Canada, her father and Adolph’s parents were all born in Germany. Adolph and Matilda were married August 15, 1925 in Bruce County.
When Bev was about two years of age, the Schultz family moved to, and bought a 100 acre farm in and about the Louise Corner along Grey Road #3. As with most of his era, Bev did not finish school. Rather, he wanted to join the Armed Forces but Matilda would hear nothing of it. Who could blame her? With Bev being her only child, only son, I am sure she was not about to lose him to war. So, Bev with a group of friends, including Kenny Hewitson, Russell Sachs, Jack Hatten and maybe even Dick Weirmeir went picking fruit in the Niagara area. This adventure lasted a few years and then Bev went to work in the steel mills in Hamilton. This lasted four or five years and then he went to sail on the Great Lakes.
Bev sailed aboard the S.S. Howard L. Shaw, a 451-foot long propeller driven freighter that operated on the Great Lakes from her launching in 1900 to her retirement 1969. She is currently serving as a breakwater in Ontario Place on Lake Ontario. Bev loved this job and loved being on the water. However, his heart-strings were being pulled back to Bentinck and to a certain young woman by the name of Dorothy Sadie Robinson. After sailing for five or six years Bev returned to the Bentinck area in 1957 and went to work at Hanover Kitchens. Bev stayed there until his retirement at the age of sixty-two in and about 1992.
Now, Dorothy and Bev had known each other most of their lives even though there was a difference of a decade in their years. In fact, the families were so close that Dorothy’s family knew Bev’s Mom as Aunt Tillie. On March 21, 1958 their love was formalized in marriage at the Geneva Presbyterian manse in Chesley. From there on, Bev and Dorothy worshipped at the Chesley Baptist Church. That is until Bev’s father moved in with them and their attendance dropped off in order to care for him. However, this author is getting ahead of herself.
The witnesses for Bev and Dorothy’s wedding were Dorothy’s sister Elizabeth (Betty) and Betty’s husband Dean Karn. The Rev. Newton Reid presided over their ceremony. The newlyweds lived with Bev’s parents for a while, on the farm. In 1962 they moved into Elmwood, to the home where Paul and Colleen now live. Sheila was born in 1958, Brenda on December 13, 1959 and Paul on March 28, 1961. Somewhere between 1993 and 1994 Bev and Dorothy moved back to the farm. Here they cropped, and raised pigs, beef and chickens. Well, they tried raising chickens but it seems that was not such a great endeavour. You will have to ask the family for some funny stories from this time. It is safe to say, though, that Bev would have nothing to do with the chickens.
As a youth, Bev played baseball and then as he aged Dorothy encouraged him to watch it on TV. He also played the guitar and the harmonica. At this he was self-taught. At some point, however, the strings disappeared off the guitar (really?) and Bev could no longer play it! All of his younger life, Bev lifted weights and worked out to keep his physic in shape. And that he did! There are a number of pictures where Bev is looking real good! Bev hated winter and so it is not surprising that he and Dorothy often travelled to Nashville. At the same time, they also took the Polar Express to Moosonee and then across the river to Moose Factory to visit a young niece who was nursing there.
After retirement, Bev would watch game shows on TV, especially Wheel of Fortune. He loved watching Boxing and Wrestling. In fact, Bev and Dorothy (who hated it!) would actually attend such events. Bev loved fighting, just like his brother-in-law Helmut. Bev certainly was not a fussy eater and he did like his Labatt’s Blue when he was drinking. Bev was not a reader. He did love his cats though but did not like dogs so much. Tinkerbell the cat, cried when the paramedics took Bev out of the house and he is still roaming the house looking for him.
Stubborn and strong-willed were words most would use to describe Bev. However, we also know that those traits are what help people navigate the rough waters of life. Bev was also easy going though. His workmates loved to talk with him and really enjoyed working with him. Grandsons enjoyed talking hockey with Bev and some grandchildren called him “Grumpy Grandpa.” Bev loved to fish and hunt, especially partridge, ducks and Morrell mushrooms! He had a real eye for seeing winged animals from a mile away. Ask the family to tell you the story of the wounded duck and Bev’s attempt to catch it! It is too funny! While you are at it, ask them to tell you the story of when Bev lost a trailer of cut wood. Hee, hee.
Bev did not have an arrogant bone in his body. He was not flashy by any stretch of the imagination and was a simple man. He taught his family the importance of respect. Respect for all things. Not once, has anyone heard Bev talk of anyone behind their back. He was a hard worker and taught his family the importance of work.
Once he returned from sailing, Bev proudly bought and owned a brand new, blue Dodge Custom Royal American with big fins and chrome. It was the love of his life (poor Dorothy!). This car was also the talk of the township. Bev was a good mechanic and loved to tinker on cars.
Life over whelmed Bev in his later years with his failing health and lack of mobility. He had stopped drinking and suffered the loss of a beloved granddaughter. Sadly, and suddenly, Beverly Adolph Schultz passed at South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Durham on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in his 90th year.
Beloved husband of Dorothy (Robinson). Loving father of Sheila Lamont of Hanover, Brenda Bell (Jimmy) of Neustadt and Paul (Colleen) of Elmwood and father-in-law of Robbie Bell. Cherished grandfather of Teri (Keith), Jennifer (Benjamin), Brad (Cortney), Katelin (Bertan), Andrew, Ashley, Joe and great-grandfather of Mason, Cohen and Felix. Bev will be fondly remembered by his sisters-in-law Alice Welsand, Betty Karn, brother-in-law Bob (Shirley) Robinson and his many close friends. He was predeceased by granddaughter Natalie Schultz and his parents Adolph and Matilda (Kaufman) Schultz.
Please join Bev’s family and friends for a casual gathering celebrating his life at the Chesley Legion on Monday, July 29, 2019 from 2 – 4 p.m.
Memorial donations to Heart & Stroke Foundation or Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
