~ IN MEMORY ~
USAF veteran, WA/DL Capt. David L. Schmatjen
May 9, 1939 ~ October 22, 2025
David served his country from 1963 to 1969, flying
cargo planes in the Vietnam war, and retiring from the USAF as a Captain, then
transitioned to a distinguished career as a commercial airline pilot………..
David Leroy "Doc" Schmatjen joined
Western Airlines 06-13-1969 and retired with Delta Air Lines based SLC. David is survived by his wife Judith, and by his
children and their families.
Per whitepages listing, the family’s most recent
address : 565 2nd St, Lake Oswego, OR 97034.
A Celebration of Life event is planned for January
10, 2026 in Lake Oswego.
PCN memorial site
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/david-schmatjen-obituary?id=60304417
David Schmatjen Obituary
David Leroy "Doc" Schmatjen passed away
on October 22, 2025 in Lake Oswego, Oregon. He was 86 years old.
The youngest of six children, he was born on May
9, 1939 in Portland, Oregon, to John D. Schmatjen and Esther (Karber)
Schmatjen. After completing his Bachelor of Science degree at Tabor College in
Hillsboro, Kansas, he began graduate studies at Kansas State University,
leaving prior to completion to join the United States Air Force.
He served his country from 1963 to 1969, flying
cargo planes in the Vietnam war, and retiring from the USAF as a Captain. He
then transitioned to a distinguished career as a commercial airline pilot,
flying first for Western Airlines and then for Delta. While stationed at Travis
AFB in 1966, he met and fell in love with Judith Ross. They were married in
Hawaii on January 20, 1968, and raised their family in Davis, California.
David pursued many interests over his lifetime,
including woodworking, golf, and world travel. He had a particular love for
classic country music, spy novels, and "intended" puns. At the end of
his life, he endured a seven-year struggle with Lewy Body Dementia that slowly
took the function of his body and mind out of his control. His loved ones and
caregivers were truly blessed that he remained his same gentle, pleasant, and
incredibly witty self right through the end. He was a lifelong Christian and
his family has been given strength and comfort knowing he is with Jesus.
David is survived by his loving wife, Judith
Schmatjen of Lake Oswego; daughter Jill Arena of Lake Oswego; daughter Heidi
Noon and her husband Steven Noon of Irvine, California; son Marc Schmatjen and
his wife Sandra Schmatjen of Rocklin, California; and six wonderful
grandchildren who brought their "Papa Doc" great joy.
David also leaves behind two sisters: Peggy Spada
of St. Paul, Oregon, and Janis Thiessen of Dallas, Oregon.
"He has not gone west, but merely flown ahead
into the sunrise - where horizons have no end and skies are always clear."
- unknown
A Celebration of Life will be held on January 10,
2026 at The Ironlight in Lake Oswego. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a
donation to either the Lewy Body Dementia Association (lbda.org), or The
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (michaeljfox.org).
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