Dave Bartz, 90, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2025, at the Horton Skilled Nursing Facility in Sturgeon Bay, WI surrounded by family.
He was born to Harold W Bartz and Erma (Schuettpelz) Bartz on June 16, 1935, in Suring, Wisconsin. Graduating from Suring High School in 1953, Dave then received a double chemistry and physics education degree from University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and a master’s from University of Wisconsin – Superior. He taught chemistry and physics at the Sturgeon Bay High School for 43 years, coaching the award-winning Science Team and supporting many other extracurricular activities.
Dave and his future wife, Rachael, met in September 1957 as newly hired teachers. Their friendship developed over after school coffees and chaperoning school activities, and they were married on July 23, 1960. Dave was a passionate teacher demanding high expectations from his students, supporting their academic goals for college and beyond. He retired from the High School in 1995 but continued teaching biochemistry for the Northeast Technical College in Sturgeon Bay adult nursing programs until he was 80. He said,” I want to be sure I have people to take care of me when I need them!” and he did.
Beyond teaching, Dave had a passion for hunting, fishing, World War II airplanes, Sheepshead, John Deer tractors, the Cubs, the Packers and brandy Manhattans! The calendar year was marked with ice fishing in the winter, blue gills and muskies in the spring/summer, and grouse and deer hunting in the fall. His massive collection of maps documented his favorite lakes and hunting trails in Northern Wisconsin particularly Oconto County and Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. He attended many EAA events to see his favorite planes and read every WWII history he could get his hands on. Dave worked with local and state agencies for sustainable uses of natural resources for hunting, fishing, and logging of timberland. He corresponded with state agencies in the protection of wildlife for over 60 years.
Following retirement, he became active in the founding of Friends of Potawatomi State Park, chairing committees involving trail maintenance, painting park buildings, and hosting candle-lit ski nights. He was an active member of the Green Bay Ruffed Grouse Society and was recognized nationally for organizing and leading 49 Habitat Work Days- not quite reaching his personal goal of 50! Dave was an active parishioner of Corpus Christi Church and School (now St. John Bosco.) He served as Council President for both and served on many committees on fundraising, playground development, and other building projects and events. But most of all, Dave was a devoted family member, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.
He was there for swimming/track/skiing/softball events, Boy Scouts, band/choir/musical performances, and anything else his four children were involved with! The arrival of grandchildren brought him great joy - they too had to learn how to bait their fishing line and walk the forest trails. Family was of the utmost importance to Dave – he remained close with his siblings and extended family throughout his life. Dave always enjoyed a good cocktail party – hosting friends and family and making sure everyone was having a good time was one of his greatest pleasures!
David will be missed greatly by his wife Rachael; sisters Althea Korte, Myrna (and Bob) Eslinger and brother Harold (and MaryAnn) Bartz; daughters Beth Bartz, Laurie (and Mark) Thiede, Amy (and Phillip) Taylor and son Paul Bartz; grandchildren Hannah (and Adam) Fulwiler, Abby Thiede, Kyra Peterson, Eliza Peterson, and Ian Bartz; and great-grandchildren Hollis Heimbecher, Hale Heimbecher, and Boden Fulwiler. He was preceded in death by his parents Erma and Harold Bartz, sister Kay Bartz, and brother-in-law Loren Korte.
The family would like to extend its gratitude to the staff at the Horton Skilled Nursing Facility in Sturgeon Bay who brought laughter and comfort to the final years of his life.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, at Forbes Funeral Home (www.forbesfuneralhome.com) followed by a cocktail party (as he would have wanted it!) where all can raise a Manhattan toast and share stories. Visitation will from 12:00 noon until the time of service. Memorials in Dave’s honor may be directed to Potawatomi State Park and the Ruffed Grouse Society.