Michael Schuldes

Michael (Mike) Henry Schuldes passed away on May 31 st at his home in Platteville, Wisconsin at the age of 68. He is survived by his son, Aksel Schuldes, ex-spouse Christine Storlie, sister Laura Martin, brother Kurt Schuldes, and nieces Chelsea Straight and Emily Honeyager.

Mike was born in Ithaca, New York on January 11 th , 1956, and moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin as a young child when his parents, Maddeline and Rudolf Schuldes, relocated to La Crosse where Rudy took a job as an Obstetrician at Lutheran hospital. Mike graduated from Central High School in La Crosse and double majored at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with degrees in microbiology and biochemistry.

After graduating from UW Oshkosh in 1980 he joined the Navy and went to Naval Officer training in Pensacola, Florida becoming a 2 nd Lieutenant. While in the Navy he first lived in Monterey, California and flew missions as a navigator on P-3 Orion anti-submarine surveillance planes in Adak, Alaska and the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. During this time, he earned a Master of Science (MS) degree at the Naval Postgraduate school. After serving his country for 10 years as a Naval flight officer in the U.S. Navy he joined the Navy Reserves for another 10 years retiring from the Navy in August of 2001.

While in the Navy Reserves he first worked at TRW as a Project System Engineer in Colorado  Springs, Colorado and then as a software manager at EROS (Earth Research Observation Satellite) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. During this time, he earned a second MS degree this time in computer engineering and a PhD in computer science both from Colorado Technical University. After earning these advanced degrees, he took Assistant Professorships at Dakota State University and Clark University in Dubuque, Iowa.

Mike loved spending time with his son Aksel and took him on many trips throughout the U.S. such as the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, and scuba diving in Clearwater, Florida. After retiring from the Navy and his teaching positions he moved to Platteville, Wisconsin to be closer to Aksel. Mike was an avid athlete having skied his whole life and raced in many alpine racing events throughout the Midwest and national championships out west in the Rocky Mountains. He swam competitively in college and was also an avid bicyclist and triathlete having competed in many bicycling, running, and triathlons and earned a 2 nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do in his mid-60s.

Visitation for Michael will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church at 2503 Main Street in LaCrosse, Wisconsin on Saturday June 29 th at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, LaCrosse, where military rites will be accdorded.

Mike will be dearly missed by his family and friends.