A resident of Aiken for 52 years, Walter Henry Schumacher entered into eternal peace at his favorite time of the day, cocktail hour, surrounded by his loving family on April 29th, 2013. He was born in Ridgewood, N.Y. December 15, 1924, son of Sophie Ibelshauser Schumacher and Henry W. Schumacher. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly fought for his country in the Pacific Theatre during WW II. After the war he attended Pace College, and graduated from Hofstra University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. Upon graduation he was hired by Riegel Textile Corporation where he rose to the position of Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales and prospered for 40 years. On November 15,1952 he married the love of his life, Gladys Olsen. They were married for over 60 years. This union produced what he fondly referred to as "Queens over Jacks"-3 daughters and 2 sons: Anne(Greg)Reichenberg, Alpharetta, Ga. Carol(Steve)Roach, Aiken, Kathryn(Thomas)Hensler, Sugar Land, TX., David(Caroline)Schumacher, St. Cloud, Fla. John Schumacher, Charleston. He lived to enjoy 11 8/9 grandchildren-Matthew and Cate Reichenberg, Stephen and Colleen Roach, Margaret and Kevin O'Connor, Kathleen and Rod Price, Kelsey Claire and Regan Hensler, Whitney and David Vige, James, Natalie, and #12 Schumacher. In addition he had one sister, Mrs. Ellen Mersch of Patchogue, N.Y., along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. A jazz aficionado, he was an accomplished percussionist and a member of numerous swing bands in the 1930's and 1940's. In addition to his family his other loves included baseball, specifically his beloved Giants, his memorable trip to Cooperstown, and attending the fourth game of the Earthquake Series in 1989. He enjoyed attending the Masters Golf Tournament for over 40 years and was an avid subscriber to the Aiken Thoroughbred scene. He was an active parishioner of St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church where he was an Eucharistic Minister, a Lecturer, a member of Perpetual Adoration, and instrumental in the building of St. Angela Hall. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Msgr. George Lewis Smith Council #3684 and Assembly #1074, Aiken. As a Flying Colonel with Delta Airlines, he visited every country in the world. Among his various enjoyments he was a passionate volunteer of numerous organizations including Meals on Wheels, Mended Hearts, 50+ Club, and the Rotary Club. His family knows he was greeted at the pearly gates by Saint Peter offering him a straight-up dry, gin martini. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 11am on Friday, May 3rd at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church. Interment will take place in New York at a later date. The family will receive friends at GEORGE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER, 211 Park Ave. SW Aiken on Thursday evening from 6-7:30pm with the Holy Rosary being recited at 7:30. Memorials may be sent to St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church building fund P.O. 438, Aiken, SC 29802 or Aiken Mended Hearts, Inc., Aiken Chapter 294, P.O. Box 976, Aiken, SC 29802