4800 E Indian School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
SCHULER, FRANCIS X., IV
Passed away on June 2, 2015. Fran was born in New York City, New York and grew up in Great Neck, Long Island. He was an avid fan of the New York Yankees. Fran served in the U.S. Air Force and received the Distinguished Flying Cross on June 14, 1973, and The Air Medal on April 11, 1973, March 4, 1974 and June 30, 1974. Fran’s professional career was as an airline pilot and is a retired captain. Fran is survived by his wife, Lorraine and by his brother Ron. Private services will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.
Fran was always such generous perso always wanting to give and you could never say no to him he was witty loved that about him Honarable loved his country, It seemed like he was always learning and I admired him so much for that .We will miss him we love you Lori Lots of love Micheal Vickie, Lerma
my brother n law was a very private man.. I have some special memories of him.. One that my kids had some pretty amazing Christmas’s cause of him..
And another one that happened this last year, we went over to their house and on the way there I had to pick up a Starbucks, well when I walked in Fran in a humorous way had to make a comment about my coffee and the expense… Well Fran made a point to share all of his coffee gadgets, as he was introducing me to these items.. He says he has 2 of everything, so he teaches me how to make my own fancy coffee on this little stainless steel pot called a Moka… & he also gives another coffee maker.. He says take it home I have 2 of everything and his wife Lori says huh, hope you don’t have 2 of me lol..
I know it may not mean much to anyone else, but I will always cherish that moment and every time I make coffee in my Moka especially I will always think of that day when my husband Peter & I had a teaching session from Fran…
Fran you will be missed, & we will always be here for your beautiful loving wife Lori
My heart goes out to the Family. You are all in our prayers. All our Love Eddie (Big Boy) and Annie
Lorraine and family; my deepest sympathies to you and your family for the loss of Fran. I was honored to have met him and pray that your memories will keep you strong during this most difficult time. Take care of each other. Sincerely, Dori and Andy Ege
Where do I begin. I first me Fran 27 years ago at US Airways. I had the pleasure of being his Co Pilot on numerous occasions which evolved into a close friendship. I was very lucky to have Fran as a very good friend. A Friend that was always there, to lend his ear, to have a great conversation with, to be challenged by in the best of ways. To laugh with. To be educated by his knowledge and wisdom. I’ll never forget one of his most generous moments with me. For he by far was the most generous Friend I have ever known. If you knew Fran you know that one of his hobbies was the collection of beautiful, fine watches. He would only pay attention to watches of the highest quality. One day we walked into his back room where he kept many of his watches. He opens a drawer. And I am looking at a selection of many fine watches. After we discuss them for a bit he says to me . Tony, which one do you like the best? Well I love manual flybacks. The kind that have separate small dials within the face for stop watch function. I told him I loved the hand made 1950’s vintage Swiss Flyback made of rose gold with alligator skin band.. A very expensive watch. He hands it to me. I said, “No way!” I even argued with him. It was way too much. If you knew Fran you know that was a loosing proposition to say no when he was in one of his generous moods. I finally gave up and accepted the gift. It will always be my favorite watch from one of the finest men and Friends I have ever known. I hope to see you again my Friend. Rest in Peace. Tony
My Heartfelt sympathy to The entire Schuler Family , May He Be At Peace in Heaven Up Above
I flew with Fran early in my career at USAir on the 727. He was one of the most kind and respectful people I have ever flown with. We would always stop and chat whenever we saw each other while we both were still at the airline. I was truly honored to know him and be in his presence. Very sad to hear of his passing.
Over the last 10 years Frank and I walked over 9,000 miles together and talked about nothing, anything, and everything. He and I solved all the problems of the world many times, but for some reason our ideas were never implemented. Frank was that one special friend that anyone could ever hope to have in a lifetime. My family and I will greatly miss Frank. Rest in peace my friend, rest in peace!
We were fortunate enough to be Franks neighbor and friend for the last ten years. Several years ago Frank started sharing his Wall Street Journal with me. He would drop the paper off every evening before his walk and if he missed a day he would make a special trip down the street to give me the paper We didn’t talk on the phone often, but when we did they were two hour conversations as Frank was always so interesting to talk to. A generous, kind and helpful man, We will miss you Frank.
I went to high school with Fran – we graduated from Great Neck North in 1963. I didn’t know him personally, but I remember vividly his smile, kindness and gentleness. We have informed our class of his passing and everyone is shocked and saddened. He is remembered with love. Our heartfelt condolences to his family.
My sincere condolences to Lorraine and Ron. I have the fondest recollections of our times playing sports and occassionally hanging out in high school. Fran was a superb athlete and better yet, a great guy! he loved playing jokes and he had an infectious smile. We both went to Kings Point where I was a year ahead of him. He made an immediate impact on the football team and when I returned from my first six month of sea duty, I was surprised and disappointed to learn he had left to go to Springfield. I regret we did not keep in touch, but heartened to know he followed his passion for flying with enjoyment and success.
I know Fran (as he was known back then) in Great Neck, where we grew up. We graduated from H.S. in the same class and promptly went our separate ways. When our class re-connected in preparation for our 50th reunion, I heard that he was living out here in AZ and made contact in June 2012. We renewed our old friendship and met many times over the last four years. We had many friends in common from our H.S. days and even have a mini-reunion here in Scottsdale with five of us. He was an intelligent, humorous and sweet guy, and I am grateful that I have been able to call him my friend. He had a smile on his face for everyone. May he rest in peace.
Lorraine & Family: My deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. Fran was a very special person and I appreciated his sense of humor. Hold him dear in your heart and the memories will always be with you. My thoughts and prayers are with you for healing. Take care of yourself. Kathy & Paul
I went to high school with Fran. Seeing his photo compelled me to write something here. I liked Fran so much. He didn’t have to boast. His quality character, good cheer and humility spoke for themselves. When we connected again around 1980 when we were 35 or so he looked and acted just as he did in high school. I have internalized his passing and am saddened. He left such an impression on me I feel as if it were yesterday. I remember once in the high school cafeteria he gave away to other kids an entire bag of his lunch potato chips. He kept asking people if they wanted some until there was nothing left for himself. Little thing isn’t it? Not really. It spoke volumes of the kind of human being he was. Generous and kind. I’m sorry I didn’t know he lived in Arizona when my daughter went to college there. It would have been wonderful to see him again.
I was a friend of Fran (his name he used in those days) back in Great Neck, N.Y. We played football together. I can only say that he was a fellow teenager that I admired greatly. His dynamic smile was his trade mark but so was his tenaciousness as a half back. I am truly honored and blessed to have him be a part of my personal history. He was a gift of a human being.
Rest in Peace
Sandy Horowitz
Fran and I grew up in Great Neck, NY and graduated H.S. together. We reconnected recently and I found him to be the same honest, intelligent and open person he was back then. I am grateful for the time we had here in AZ, renewing our old friendship and talking at length about our past, the world today and anything else that came to mind. Though most of us in H.S. knew him as a star athlete and student, he was much more than that. He became a true professional, a warm person, we were all lucky to know. May he rest in peace.
Lori, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband. I have no stories to tell, as I did not know him. I read these stories and it sounds like he was a kind and generous man, who took care of those around him. The only stories I have to tell are of the Lerma family on Missouri Avenue!
God is GREAT and Fran is now in God/Great hands. I don’t believe in resting in peace, as I believe only us earth bound people get tired. I believe he is now a beloved spirit full of energy, with more life and vitality then ever. He is dancing, singing, smelling, feeling, hearing, and rejoicing in a way he has never experienced before. He is a new, more complete person. He has a new life and it is glorious.
May God be with you, may he bless you, and bring you peace in this sorrowful time.
Your old neighbor and friend,
Diana Schauberger Smith
Lori, so sorry for the passing of your Husband, Best Friend and Soul Mate.
Fran was one of those people when someone wold ask how long you’ve known him, you’d be proud to say forever.
I feel fortunate to say we had some great conversations the past few years, from Politics, Religion, (The two No No’s) to a wide range of important or not important subjects.
For some reason it always got back to you of which he was the expert. I would say something we all know to be true, you are the best, too good for him, smarter, he was blessed to have you, and of course he would add something better than that.
Fran knew he met his life mate and never looked back with anything other than Love and Admiration.
I’m not sure where Fran went, anyone who knew him would understand this, but I’m sure he’s part of the brain trust to make it a better place.
In closing a few things:
Starbucks had nothing on Fran.
Time had nothing on Fran.
Healthy cooking had nothing on Fran.
Coke with real sugar for Greg had nothing on Fran.
Fran we Love you, and I hope when I go people can say the same about me, he was just a Nice Guy.
Greg Baderdeen
I often met Frank and Kirk, in Cholla Cove Park, on their 9000 mile trek interrupting their philosophical discussions. Those interruptions where always greeted with a smile, kind word and a welcome invite to join the walk and conversation. I was very sorry to hear of Frank’s passing, he will be missed.
Lorraine, Friends and Family,
We just received the news about Fran. We are speechless and at a loss for words. Although we have not seen him in several years, we stayed in touch.
We first met Fran and Lorraine when we became neighbors many years ago in Cave Creek, AZ. It was our first home, we were only in our young 20’s, and Fran and Lorraine about adopted us! We didn’t even know we worked for the same company until they invited us over for dinner.
To say Fran (and Lorraine) have been generous would be a gross understatement in many ways. Fran has been a mentor to me for many years of my flying career. He has been a good, dear friend who you could call upon at any time for advice, support or just to chat. Fran was the model conversationalist. To this day we have never met a more engaging person. He always had a wonderful sense of humor and we can’t count the number of wonderful times spent together with him and Lorraine.
By far the highest honor for me was to have flown with him as his co-pilot several times. After several years of knowing him as a good friend, I finally had the chance to fly with him. The consummate professional, cool and a lot of fun.
Our best memories, of the many, are of riding in Fran’s big old Cadillac down Mingus Mountain in AZ, with Lorraine at his side, and Fran yelling and joking “no brakes, no brakes!”
Karen says “so many times you see interviews where people are asked who would be the one person if you could choose to have dinner with? A star, a president? Well she said…. For me it would be Fran”, “Just one more with Lorraine by his side, to challenge, engage and make you smile!”
Fran, you will be missed by many, and will always have a special place in our hearts.
Anthony and Karen Mangus
Fran was my best friend and I will miss him very much. We worked at four airlines together and were roommates at three of them. I’m really going to miss discussing his sarcastic view of life with him as we both had similar views of the world !!! I first met Fran while working at Saudi Arabian Airlines in 1977. I saw this guy standing out in front of the terminal at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with long gray hair and asked one of the other pilots who was that and did he work with us !!! Our careers crossed many times after that until he eventually wound up in Pittsburgh with US Air and I stopped flying and stayed on the left coast. We still kept in very close touch keeping up with the latest problems with the airlines and all the guys we knew that worked at just about every company. I’ve called everybody that we both knew and they are all shocked and saddened to hear he is gone. It won’t be the same without his sarcastic wit commenting on the problems of the day! !!!
My fondest memory of Fran was a wonderful evening. Fran made veal and convinced me beforehand that I would like it. I did not. But I will always remember my first and last time I will ever eat veal. Such a sweet man. Prayers to cousin Lori in this difficult time. I love you!
Lorraine – Even though it may be hard to look past the sorrow at times, may the wonderful memories that you had together be a blessing to you today and in the days to come. May the love of those around you provide comfort. Que Dios te Bendiga.
I will always count Fran as a true friend forever. Always offering insightful guidance as I navigated through my career. Kind and generous and with a keen sense of humor. It is an honor to have known him. I will miss him and hope we meet again at the Pearly Gates. I am certain he is there.
Frank. You were more than just an amazing Neighbor, you were our Friend. We are so happy that we met you and bonded over our love of the Yankees and all things New York. Every time we go to the park with the kids, we your spirit will be there with us. Rest In Peace Good Friend.
-Jenn, Nino, Niko & Danica
Frank. You were more than just an amazing Neighbor, you were our Friend. We are so happy that we met you and bonded over our love of the Yankees and all things New York. Every time we go to the park with the kids, we know your spirit will be there with us. Rest In Peace Good Friend.
-Jenn, Nino, Niko & Danica
Really shocked to see Fran’s name in the ALPA magazine’s “In Memoriam” list. We first met while flying for Saudia, made contact again when with US Air, commuted together many times. We had some great conversations re-fighting Southeast Asia. Godspeed my friend.
Lorriane, I saw Fran’s name in the ALPA monthly Magazine listing his passing. It really hit me that I had lost contact with Fran who I always felt was a good bud. I remember last speaking with him he still flying and I think he was flying as a captain. Fran flew co-pilot for on several trips back in the PSA days as well as after the merger with US Airways. I always enjoyed and would look forward to trips with him, we talked about our careers, our families,you name it I think we touched based with everything. I used to have his email address that I would forward information to him but I think one of my computer crashes I lost his information and missed several others including Fran’s. Just know that your husband was respected and was held in fond memeories by many including yours truly, May he rest in peace.
I met Fran in 1977. We were in the same pilot class in Kansas City for our employment with Saudi Arabian airlines. I was extremely saddened when I learned of his passing. I talked to him by phone earlier this year. He was a good friend and will be missed Francis Keen (Bob) 480802007. Keenjazz@aol.com
FX and I shared a BOQ suite on Kadena AFB, Okinawa. We were both serving in the USAF, in the same squadron and flying the KC-135s. It was 1972-73 and FX had grown the most perfect mustache I had ever seen. So perfect in fact the brass never bothered him about it being outside the regulations. We shared many adventures together and I am a better person for having known him.
My prayers and thoughts are with Lorriane and Ron. I look forward to the day we may once again shed our earthly bonds and challenging the sky’s with an unrestricted flight plan.
Billy Lester
909th AREFSQ