Life member Wayne Schultz, passed away on May 9th, 2025, following a lengthy illness. Wayne joined the ranks of Gettysburg Fire Department on February 10, 1982, and started his career as a Fire Police Officer. In the following 18 or so years of active membership, Wayne served as either the Lt or Capt. of The Gettysburg Fire Police making traffic safety a priority. As an officer of GFP, he was also active in the Adams County Fire Police Association where he built relationships across the county thus improving mutual aid to larger scale incidents.
Not long after joining GFD, Wayne and a few others started “Operation StarChild”. This annual community service event provided a safer environment for trick-or-treaters by placing fire apparatus and personnel at various locations in our community. This activity is still going strong some 40+ years and counting.
Wayne’s service to the department and community were recognized in 1993 when he received The Fireman of the Year Award. This is one of GFD’s top recognitions that are awarded annually.
Wayne will always be remembered for his contributions to the GFD and we offer our condolences to the Schultz family on his passing.
I was fortunate to meet Wayne several years ago while walking our dog around our neighborhood at Twin Oaks where Wayne also lived. He took a liking to our pup and greeted us on most days with water for her and to just chat awhile. He then also tooted his horn when driving by if he saw us walking or driving past our house. He even took us in his truck for a ride around the block, which my pup loved. He was such a sweet and friendly man and I never knew much about his life and all he had done for our community other than neighborhood life we shared. I did also have the pleasure of chatting with his sweet wife many times when she was walking in neighborhood. Our sweet pup died several years ago in 2021 and I remember how sad he looked when I told him, since her death was a shock to all of us after only being sick one week. It was like he lost his best neighborhood dog buddy...things weren't the same after that. I would see him and he did tell me he was having breathing problems although he would still go get his McDonald's coffee every day! Once in awhile he would go past our house and wave and toot his horn. I did notice his car wasn't at his house and wondered how he was doing, only to find out he wasn't doing well at all and passed away. It made me feel so sad to find out he was so sick and I hadn't had the chance to see him one more time. But I also know more about him now and all he had accomplished and did for many years for others that I never knew. It was an honor to know Wayne and he will not be forgotten!
