Closed Album - Kurt Schau

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Kurt Schau

March 13, 1954—January 26, 2025

Kurt Henry Schau, 70, of Petaluma, CA, passed away on January 26th, 2025. He will be deeply missed by his family, the Petaluma community, and stamp collectors worldwide.

Kurt was born on March 13th, 1954 to Walter and Virgina Schau in San Anselmo, CA.

When he was 3 months old, his mother made history as the first woman and second amateur to win the Pulitzer Prize for Photography***, and while Kurt didn't follow her path behind the camera, he inherited her sharp wit, adventurous spirit, and talent in the kitchen.

Kurt attended Cornell University on a ROTC scholarship, where he studied Hotel and Restaurant Management. While there, he became a proud member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity (Beta Theta chapter) and developed life-long friendships with his fellow fraternity brothers. He often found his way into a good time and a bit of trouble.

After graduation in 1976, he attended the Army Adjutant General Officer Basic Course in Indianapolis, IN where he met his future wife, Esther, who was also undertaking the course. Six weeks later they were engaged, and assigned to Berlin, where they were married. While stationed in Berlin, he managed the prestigious US Army Officer's Club at the Harnack House.

Kurt was then selected by the Army for Advanced Civil Schooling and completed a Master's degree, also at Cornell. After graduation he and Esther were assigned to West Point, then returned to the Bay Area in 1984 where Kurt had his final military posting at the Oakland Army Base, overseeing the Fort Mason Officer's Club in San Francisco.

Upon retiring from service as a Captain, Kurt was employed by Club Corporation of America. His first role was running the Lakeview Club on top of the Kaiser building in Oakland. He then managed the San Francisco Stock Exchange Club. During this time Kurt and Esther welcomed their two children, Laura in 1985 and Erik in 1987, and moved to Petaluma.

While Kurt loved the energy associated with running clubs and restaurants, he chose to follow his other lifelong passion, philately. Kurt began collecting stamps at age 8 and had always wanted to open his own stamp collecting business. He started as a standalone dealer, then soon teamed up with Chris Harmer to co-found Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, a philatelic auction house that saw great success, and which Kurt was a part of for 23 years. He enjoyed being involved in the Santa Rosa Stamp Club and the Redwood Empire Collectors Club, where he served as Treasurer. In 2022, Kurt was recognized by Linn's Stamp News as one of the Most Influential Philatelists.

Kurt was a devoted philanthropist and deeply involved in the Petaluma community. He served on the Board of Directors for the Petaluma Boys & Girls Club and in 2005 was honored with the Award of Excellence in Service to Youth by the Petaluma Chamber of Commerce. He was a charter member of Petaluma Sunrise Rotary, where he served twice as president and was Chairman of the Petaluma Sunrise Foundation. Outside of philately and philanthropy, Kurt loved to have a good time.

He was an accomplished chef, voracious reader, active member of the Petaluma Yacht Club, weekly golfer, and world traveler. He had a passion for good food and even better wine. He was a great storyteller and had many stories to tell. His optimism and positive outlook were infectious, and he greeted everyone with a warm smile and a big hug.

He was a man who lived life to the fullest. When you think of Kurt, raise a glass and tell a great story amongst good friends, just like he did.

Kurt is survived by his wife of 47 years, Esther Schau; his daughter Laura (Ted) Zacher; his son Erik (Erica) Schau; and his two grandsons, Wally and Holden, whom he dearly loved.