Albert Schachtner

Albert Schachtner (Al) IS (yes I can still say "is") the most humble Catholic man I have ever known. He has served his life to serve the Lord. He was born on April 13, 1925 in Milwaukee Wisconsin. He is my Grandfather. He is a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Any hour now the good Lord is going to call him home, and I am being selfish because I want him to stay here on earth just a little longer. I have been given the opportunity to say his eulogy and this is what I am going to say.

Depth of life is not only measured by how much we appreciate the important things, but also by how much we, in turn, are appreciated. And again, we find the true meaning of this idea among ourselves and our feelings. We are here because we cared. We are here because our connection with my Grandfather Al was a deep connection based on friendship, love, trust, and understanding. And that can only happen with a treasured human spirit, with a spirit like my Grandfather.
I am remembered of a quite by Henry James. It says “Sorrow comes in great waves...but it rolls over us, and though it may almost smother us, it passes and we remain." My Grandpa was a humble man; he never liked to be the center of attention. In life and now in death, he wouldn't want us to focus on him. He wouldn't want us to focus on the sadness of his death, but instead focus on the happiness in our lives. He would want us to appreciate each other and our future. A man as humble and loving as my Grandfather will always be remembered by those of us who knew him and loved him. Although we will miss him, his smile, his devotion to the Lord, his love, we take consolation in the good feelings of our memories.
My Grandfather once told me that that his grandchildren kept him young at heart. That made me feel good inside. I can see that my mother got her fun loving spirit from grandfather. He was a great teacher to have, not only for my mother and us, but also for everybody. He was selfless and kind. He loved being a Husband, parent and grandparent. It was his calling in life.
As I stand here there is a song in my head that I can’t get rid of. Some of you may know it. It was a popular song from a not so good television show a few years ago called the Heights. The song was: How do you talk to an angel? I’m standing here wondering just that, because there is no doubt in my mind that my Grandfather was an angel here on earth and is now an angel in heaven. He had a heart of gold. Looking around this church today, its obvious that he was a man who loved his family very much and made the best of what he had to provide for them. During my lifetime, I observed how diligently my grandfather worked as a carpenter, in the garden and around the house. He always had a kind word and gentle smile towards those whom he encountered. His charity, I am convinced, is an effect of his strong Catholic faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Charity towards others is the greatest sign of God's presence in our lives. His charity overflowed into his family. He truly loved his wife, his children and grandchildren. Even when there would be disagreements in the family, he would be the first one to put end to them. He always made it a point that peace should remain in the family no matter what would happen. These words of wisdom were made manifest by the 59 years of marriage he enjoyed with my Grandmother.


I’d like to suggest something to you. Don’t mourn; don’t be sad. My Grandfather is up in heaven rejoicing with the Lord, a place we ALL want to be some day. He wouldn’t have wanted us to be sad. Instead remember the good times: remember his laughter, remember his smile, remember him happy and remember him often. Now THAT is how he would want us to feel.

In closing, I would like to say something on behalf of my cousin Gary who, unfortunately could not be here today. He writes: "if it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve... As for my household, we will serve the Lord." This verse from Joshua 24:15 completely sums up Albert Schachtner's life. He was the perfect example of a man of God, who put the Lord first, his family second, and himself last. He had an unshakable Catholic faith that guided him in being a loving husband for 60 years, and a Patriarch of a large and growing family. All that I could have ever wanted to know about being a good husband, a loving father, a hard worker, a humble servant of God and the church, I could have learned by spending time with my grandfather. And though I have learned so much from his example and the time we shared during my youth, my greatest sadness is that I didnt take the time when I grew up to speak and share this wisdom with him, man to man. But it is with great joy and consolation that I know that I can still gain this wisdom from him, as well as his peace and guidance and protection, not from Albert the man, but Albert the Saint. For I have no doubt that he is, as we speak, standing with the rest of the Saints in heaven, worshiping the Lord face-to-face at His throne.
Recently I have come to realize exactly how mystical, powerful, and consoling is the great Communion of the Saints that make up all of our faithfully departed, because we, the living saints, are also part of this communion, meaning that though we cannot see them, they are ALWAYS with us. We are never ever alone, because we have a heavenly host of Saints and angels, led by our mother the Virgin Mary, to look after us, pray for us, and bring our petitions to the Lord. And though we have all experienced a great loss of a husband, father, and grandfather, we have all gained a powerful intercesssor in Albert the Saint, who feels no pain, never grows tired, and day and night looks over us, lives with us, and brings our prayers to the Lord. So be joyful, because your husband, father, your friend, is at this very moment resting on the bosom of Christ, just as the beloved apostle did at the Last Supper!
St. John of the Cross said, "In the twilight of our lives, we will be judged on how we have loved." Albert Schachtner loved with all his heart, and all his soul, and all his mind. And after a lifetime of storing up treasures in heaven, he is now in his eternal reward. I pray that we all have the wisdom and desire, as Albert did, to live, love, and serve the Lord and each other the rest of our lives, so that we too may share in the glory of our God for eternity.
Requiecet en pace Grandpa. I love you.

                                                  *My cousin Gary, Grandma and Grandpa




                                                      He is SOOOOO handosome, huh?