Larry L. Schmautz, 62

Larry L. Schmautz, 62, passed away suddenly at his home in Columbia Falls on June 18, 2005. Larry left this life too early, but he touched so many lives. Larry will be remembered as a gentle-hearted father, husband, grandfather, coach, teacher, friend and mentor.

Larry was born Jan. 2, 1943, in Missoula, to Rudolph "Rudy" and Lydia Schmautz. He was the youngest child and only son in a family with three sisters, Marie (Roberts), Glenda (Armstrong) and Marlene (Davis).

Growing up on South Fifth West Street, Larry attended Willard School. He then went on to Missoula County High School and played basketball. There he continued his lifelong friendships with Pokey Allen, Tom Stage, Phil Johnson, Phil Benson and John Oblizalo.

Larry's basketball team went on to win state AA championships in 1959 and 1961, led by legendary coach Lou Rochleau.

After high school, Larry earned a full-ride basketball scholarship to Western Montana College in Dillon.

He married Margaret Bue of Missoula in 1964, and daughter Patti was born in 1965.

After graduating in 1966, the family moved to Gildford where Larry taught and coached for two years.

In the summer of 1968, son Todd was born.

That fall, Larry began his teaching career at Columbia Falls High School. He taught American history and government at CFHS for 26 years, as well as coaching basketball and track.

Larry spent summers as a ranger in Glacier National Park and later took over his in-laws' cherry orchard on Flathead Lake. His business card read "Larry's Cherries," and he sold them to local grocers for ".50 cents/lb. orchard run."

His coaching career in Columbia Falls began as an assistant boys basketball coach under Ralph Johnson. He coached the boys until 1976, when he took over the fledgling girls basketball program. It was during his tenure as WildKat coach that Larry became a coaching legend himself.

"Highly respected," "teacher of the game," "admired as a friend and coach," "a real gentleman" are just a whispering of the comments regarding Coach Schmautz.

During 20 years as the coach of the Kats, Larry was the third-winningest coach in Montana girls high school basketball history with a 322-116 record, which included winning eight divisional tourneys.

Highlighting this record was winning the 1983 State Championship.

Always humble, Larry was adamant that the success of his program was due to the girls he coached, his assistant coaches, and mostly the overwhelming support the Columbia Falls community gave to the school.

Larry believed that to be successful -- you had to be competitive and by bringing out the best in yourself -- you would be a winner.

He hoped by teaching these philosophies and ethics that the students would not only use them on the court (track) but throughout their lives.

In June 1993, Larry married his best friend, Dorothy Chatlain. Dorothy noted that Larry was not one to want to wear jewelry, thus no wedding band.

He also vowed never to take up golf, her longtime sport. So, as a wedding gift, Dorothy bought Larry a set of golf clubs. The rest is history.

After retiring from teaching in 1994 and from coaching in 1996, Larry played as many rounds as often as he could.

Being retired also left him plenty of time to visit his grandchildren, Nicholas, Rose and Anna. Many hours were spent playing Barbie dolls, fixing up go carts, telling "whoppers" about grizzly bears, and giving shoulder-rides.

Larry's friendships were not short-term.

He was enriched daily with his breakfast club, his golf buddies and all the people in this community he loved so much.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his brother-in-law, Delbert Roberts; and nephew, Dobbie Roberts.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his daughter, Patti, and husband, Bob Kaufmann; son, Todd, and wife, Kristin; his sisters, Marie Roberts, Glenda Armstrong and husband Gerry, and Marlene Davis and husband Glenn; grandchildren, Nicholas and Rose Kaufmann, and Anna Schmautz; Dorothy's sister, Carol, and husband Joe Blades, sister, Kathy, and husband Don Hewitt, sister, Myrna, and husband Scott Wright, and brother, Denny, and wife Jane Chatlain; as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Larry's life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, at the Columbia Falls High School Gym.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the CFHS Athletic Endowment Fund.