Major David M. Schramm, U.S. Army, Retired, was born February 25, 1944, in Upstate New York, to Harry E. Schramm and Estella M. Pratt. Major Schramm often quoted a phrase from General Douglas MacArthur's speech to Congress and the old ballad: "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away." Major Schramm faded away August 19, 2021, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease, due to his exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam.

Dave joined the U.S. Army at the age of 17, after having dropped out of school. He later returned to school to earn his GED, and subsequently attended Parks College, Belleville College, and Southern Illinois University, (all in Illinois), as well as Websters College (in Missouri). At Websters College, Dave earned dual Masters Degrees, one in Administration of Justice and the other for Business Administration.

While attending Parks College, he met and married Illinois native and the love of his life, Janet Gillison. The couple was blessed with three children: Dawn, Janet, and Tim.

Dave was a police officer with the Cahokia, Illinois, police department, until he was transferred to California.

During his 38-plus years of service in the U.S. Army, Major Schramm served his beloved country with distinction, earning numerous awards, including a Soldier's Medal with a V-Device (1973), and later received the rare distinction of a direct commission to Captain. Major Schramm was a Light Infantry Officer. He served as a Crew Chief in Poitiers, France, and in Vietnam. He served with: the 281st Aviation Co. (St. Louis, MO); the 219th Transportation Co. (Wood River, IL); the 329th S&S Bn (St. Louis, MO); the 102d ARCOM (St. Louis, MO); the 5038th USAR School (St. Louis, MO); RCPAC (St. Louis, MO); the HHC 916th Field Depot (Los Alamitos, CA); the HHT 5th Cavalry Brigade (Lincoln, NE); Troop B 3rd Squadron 302nd Cavalry (Syracuse, NE); the STC 84th Tng Command 84th Div. (Milwaukee, WI); and the 301st Support & Service Co. (Ardmore, OK). His last post was as a Cavalry Officer with the 5th Cavalry Black Knights. He retired in 1999, after having served our country for more than 38 years. He also trained the 82nd Airborne (Ft. Bragg, NC) and the 101st Airborne (Ft. Ord, CA). He was an expert marksman, which earned him a number of awards. He enjoyed driving tanks and taught courses in tank driving, which later helped him when teaching his daughters to drive their cars.

Dave was devoted to air and space. A photo he took of the Space Shuttle Columbia is located in Washington D.C.'s Smithsonian Institution. In the Army, he worked as an aircraft mechanic, especially on the Apache and Blackhawk helicopters. After college, he went on to become an Aviation Safety Inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration, until his retirement in 1996, after 20+ years.

He was an avid chef and baker. He received countless awards for his cookies, pies, jams/jellies. He was also the author of two books: "Understanding Advanced Composites" and "Advanced Composites and Repair." He enjoyed Jimmy Cagney and John Wayne movies, often quoting "The Duke." Above all else, he LOVED fishing, camping, prospecting for gold, and just spending time with his son. He would often sit back and simply watch his family. He cherished them. They were his everything…his world. He was a builder. He built, with his own two hands, the family home.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Janet Schramm, his children: Dawn Schramm, Janet Riter (MSGT Rich Riter, U.S. Air Force, Retired), and Timothy Schramm, and his grandchildren: Seth Riter and 2nd Lt. Emily Riter, U.S. Space Force.

He was predeceased by his parents: Harry E. Schramm (wife: Doris) and Estella M. Mink (husband: William).