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Schultz, longtime probation officer, remembered as advocate for juveniles

Edward Schultz Jr. will be remembered as a man who improved Rock County’s juvenile justice system to do what was best for kids.

“I think that is kind of a nice legacy to have,” said Bob Sperling, who worked under Schultz for 24 years. “Ed really cared about kids. I know that is kind of an overused cliche, but he really lived it.”

Schultz, 70, Janesville, died Sunday at home. A funeral is scheduled Tuesday at Trinity Episcopal Church in Janesville.

Schultz was born in Watertown. He moved to Janesville in 1954, and graduated from Janesville High School in 1958.

He received a bachelor’s degree in social science from Milton College in 1962 and a master’s degree in counseling and guidance from UW-Whitewater in 1977.

Schultz worked for Rock County from 1962-97, serving as chief juvenile probation officer from 1967-91. He also was division manager for juvenile probation from 1992-97.

Schultz had an important role in the way juvenile laws have changed statewide because of his role on various associations, Sperling said.

“I don’t think you could talk about juvenile justice in the state of Wisconsin without people knowing who Ed was,” Sperling said. “He was just very well known.”

Schultz helped Rock County get its juvenile detention center, Sperling said. Until then, juveniles were held in the adult jail.

Schultz also helped move juvenile probation from under the supervision of the courts to that of the county’s human services department, Sperling said.

Edward Schultz III said his dad was proud of turning children’s lives around and that he also was proud of hiring women and minorities to work in his department.

Schultz was known for being outspoken and always having an opinion, Sperling said. He wasn’t afraid of controversy and wouldn’t always say the politically correct thing.

“We went through a lot of changes at the time,” Sperling said. “He didn’t always do the popular thing, but he always did the right thing.”

Everyone has an “Ed memory” that brings a smile, Sperling said.

At home, Schultz’s son said his dad was full of energy. He helped at church and hospices, and was interested in dog handling, running and horses.

He also played saxophone and loved music, which he passed down to his children and grandchildren, his son said.

“He seemed to have a lot of energy,” his son said. “He was always involved in doing something.”

After retiring in 1997, Schultz moved to Clearwater, Fla. He returned to Janesville in 2004.

Schultz was active in church, including the Trinity Episcopal Church in Janesville.

“We’re all going to miss him a lot. He had a great sense of humor,” his son said. “Part of him is going to live in all of us, both his children and grandchildren, forever.”

If you go

Funeral services for Edward Schultz Jr. will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Trinity Episcopal Church, 409 E. Court St., Janesville.

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Monday at Henke-Clarson Funeral Home, 1010 N. Wright Road, Janesville, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday at the church.