1956
Gary
2024
Gary Schmaltz
March 10, 1956 — August 31, 2024
Local legend Gary Thomas Schmaltz, 68, passed away on August 31, 2024, surrounded by loved ones after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Gary was born on March 10, 1956 & grew up in Altoona, Wisconsin, later planting his roots in Eau Claire after his time in the Air Force.
When he was a young boy, he discovered music & fell in LOVE, developing a deep passion for all things music. He was even one of the original founders of Decadent Cabaret. He generously & proudly promoted local musicians & recorded thousands of videos of live shows.
For the past 19 years, Gary worked as a volunteer DJ on the local WHYS radio station every Sunday as "Poppa Bear." He became a talent scout for Rock Solid Talent Entertainment & interviewed famous producers & rock stars like Chris Flores, The Chimps, Joe Riley, to name a few. Gary acted in local movie projects (Todd Tess!) & was executive producer of 2 music videos, one for his amazingly talented & loving partner, Nancy Olson.
Gary was known by many as the go-to "phone guy,” which often led to long-lasting friendships with those he helped.
He was everyone's biggest supporter! Wherever Gary was needed, he was there. His house was always "OPEN," a place where you felt welcome. There were always people over: some just to hang out, listen to music, or wanting to be listened to, some just needing a friend. He just had that kind of charisma, that type of personality that made you want to get to know him. A person could not help liking him almost immediately after meeting him. Gary was someone few will ever forget.
He is survived by his father, Julius (Mary) Schmaltz,Melbourne, FL; stepfather, Peter Huth, Menomonie, WI; son, Steven (Diana), Baraboo, WI; daughter, Amber (Brett) Myers, Eau Claire, WI; sister, Jody Lundberg, River Falls, WI; niece, Anna (Joel) Pearson, River Falls, WI; niece, Michelle (Blaine) Bogner, River Falls, WI; uncle, Frank Schmaltz, Eau Claire, WI; Aunt Carol Ann Rau, Abbotsford, WI; Uncle Gary (Barbara) Marchesini Cordova, TN; grandchildren: Ecco, Maci, & Jonas; & his life partner, Nancy D. Olson. He is preceded in death by his mother, Sherry Huth, & several near & dear friends.
“This has been Poppa Bear, signing off. Thank you for tuning in to The Bear's Den.”
Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com .
When he was a young boy, he discovered music & fell in LOVE, developing a deep passion for all things music. He was even one of the original founders of Decadent Cabaret. He generously & proudly promoted local musicians & recorded thousands of videos of live shows.
For the past 19 years, Gary worked as a volunteer DJ on the local WHYS radio station every Sunday as "Poppa Bear." He became a talent scout for Rock Solid Talent Entertainment & interviewed famous producers & rock stars like Chris Flores, The Chimps, Joe Riley, to name a few. Gary acted in local movie projects (Todd Tess!) & was executive producer of 2 music videos, one for his amazingly talented & loving partner, Nancy Olson.
Gary was known by many as the go-to "phone guy,” which often led to long-lasting friendships with those he helped.
He was everyone's biggest supporter! Wherever Gary was needed, he was there. His house was always "OPEN," a place where you felt welcome. There were always people over: some just to hang out, listen to music, or wanting to be listened to, some just needing a friend. He just had that kind of charisma, that type of personality that made you want to get to know him. A person could not help liking him almost immediately after meeting him. Gary was someone few will ever forget.
He is survived by his father, Julius (Mary) Schmaltz,Melbourne, FL; stepfather, Peter Huth, Menomonie, WI; son, Steven (Diana), Baraboo, WI; daughter, Amber (Brett) Myers, Eau Claire, WI; sister, Jody Lundberg, River Falls, WI; niece, Anna (Joel) Pearson, River Falls, WI; niece, Michelle (Blaine) Bogner, River Falls, WI; uncle, Frank Schmaltz, Eau Claire, WI; Aunt Carol Ann Rau, Abbotsford, WI; Uncle Gary (Barbara) Marchesini Cordova, TN; grandchildren: Ecco, Maci, & Jonas; & his life partner, Nancy D. Olson. He is preceded in death by his mother, Sherry Huth, & several near & dear friends.
“This has been Poppa Bear, signing off. Thank you for tuning in to The Bear's Den.”
Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com .
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Schmaltz, please visit our flower store.
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Visits: 20
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors