OBITUARY: Gordon Schatz, 1943-2025 | Lost Coast Outpost

Gordon Schatz was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington, and he married his highschool sweetheart Karen Lyle in 1964. They then moved to Hollywood, the place he obtained a BA diploma in images from Art Center College of Design. He operated his personal promoting images studio till the household relocated to Humboldt County in 1975, to ascertain and function the Schatz Tree Farm in Maple Creek.

Gordon’s reforestation work on the Schatz Tree Farm led to official recognition because the “California Tree Farm of the Year” award. Shortly after receiving this honor, the Schatz household donated the tree farm to Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation. Gordon continued working as resident supervisor of the tree farm till his passing.

In addition to his reforestation work, Gordon served for 12 years on the Maple Creek School Board and was a founding member and eventual Fire Chief of the Maple Creek Volunteer Fire Department throughout its’ 30-year existence.

Gordon loved dwelling with the land by means of gardening, orcharding, elevating rabbits and sheep, and planting all of the number of bushes he may match on his homestead. He was all the time an individual of self-determination, and loved particular person actions together with backpacking, mountain climbing, images, sailboarding, snowboarding, snowboarding, and loads of summers swimming within the Baduwa’t (Mad) river. He particularly loved mountain biking and was a profitable competitor in cross-country races for a few years.

Gordon additionally loved sharing life and experiences and quiet contemplation along with his beloved spouse Karen, his sons Ian and Dylan, his daughters-in-law Elizabeth and Zia, and his grandchildren Jas, Griffin, and Leo. He was ever wishing for peace on earth and safety of our planet’s forests. His stays will likely be returned to the earth by his quick household, to nourish the bushes which he planted and cherished.

Those who want to honor his reminiscence and needs are inspired to plant bushes — particularly Sequoia sempervirens — to assist make our planet without end inexperienced.