On August 13, 2016, Calvin Shultz, at the age of 58, passed into the great beyond, after a brief but courageous fight with cancer. Calvin was a very proud fifth generation Humboldt County native, descendant of several prominent pioneer families. He was a father, grandfather, farmer, plumber, artist, storyteller, and trusted stove guru. Known far and wide as the “Stoveman,” he helped keep Humboldt County warm and cozy for decades.

Calvin was born in 1957 to Maurice Shultz and Delores Briceland Shultz at the brand-new Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna. He was especially beloved by his mother’s side of the family. He spent much of his early childhood at his great-grandparents Carl and Mary Briceland’s ranch in Ettersburg, and was constantly surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins. As the young family moved from place to place Calvin attended grammar school in Fortuna, Rohnerville and Fort Bragg, before his mom and dad set down roots in Ferndale in 1968 when they took over the Ferndale Meat Market on Main Street.

As a young boy he split his time in Ferndale as a town kid and a country kid, as Carl and Mary had previously moved to the ranch on Grizzly Bluff near Ferndale from Ettersburg in 1964. Being immersed in the late 1960s world of artists, hippies, loggers and ranchers had a great influence on him. He was forever a free thinker and was able to strike up a conversation with just about anyone, at any time, on just about any topic you could imagine. One of his favorite stories to tell of this time of his life was how he and his dad built the infamous “Blue Weenie” for one of the early Kinetic Sculpture races. The only flaw in the design was the steering. Calvin did everything he could to keep the sculpture from careening into the crowds lining Main Street on race day, but he eventually piloted the giant blue sausage across the finish line. The bronze kinetic chicken trophy always hung in a place of prominence in the house.

Calvin attended Ferndale High school, graduating in the class of 1975. He always loved keeping track of where his classmates were and finding out who was doing what. Calvin was forever a proud Ferndale Wildcat. He was of the opinion that every football team the Wildcats could field after his senior year was just a little inferior, but he was a huge supporter and follower none the less. After high school Calvin attended College of the Redwoods, continuing to play football for the Corsairs and graduated with an AA degree. He worked for a time at Carl Johnson’s in Eureka, and then for Ken Spaulding at his woodstove shop on the south side of Eureka, eventually purchasing the business and renaming it Calvin’s Woodstoves, Plumbing, and Irrigation.

In 1979 Calvin married Cynthia Wunderlich, and soon after in 1982 they moved home to the ranch on Grizzly Bluff. Here Calvin and Cynthia raised Hereford cattle, a few sheep, grew a huge garden, and started a family. His children Jonathan, Brice, Nicholas, and Rosemary were his pride and joy. He was happiest being a father, friend, and mentor to each of his children. He instilled in them his love of art, history, music, literature, farming, hard work, and the importance of knowing your place in the world. His children’s accomplishments were his accomplishments, and he was so proud of every one of them.

Calvin lived the life of a tradesman. With a strong back and calloused hands he weathered the good times and the not so good times. Over the years he installed and fixed countless wood, gas, and pellet stoves in many Humboldt County homes. Even when his own times were tough he would help people out who were in a worse spot than he was. Young families with little kids and the elderly always got special attention. He always enjoyed meeting and getting to know new people, and was extremely dedicated to his favorite customers. It was a common Thanksgiving morning or Christmas Eve with Calvin out and about fixing up broken stoves so families could enjoy a warm holiday.

Calvin was predeceased by his mother, Delores Briceland Shultz. Calvin is survived by his wife Cynthia, his four children, Jonathan (Tracy), Brice (Kristen), Nicholas, and Rosemary, his two granddaughters, Arwen and Elora, father Maurice (Muriel), sister Lori Ann, half-sister Becky (Jeremy). He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, both near and far.

Family and friends are invited to join together for a potluck celebration of Calvin’s life at Jonathan and Tracy’s farm, 5050 Mill Street, Fortuna (off Rohnerville Road and due north of Redwood Empire Golf and Country Club, signs will be posted) from 3:00 till dark, on Saturday, September 10.

“The smoke ascends to heaven as lightly from a cottage hearth as from the haughty palace. He, whose soul ponders this true equality, may walk the fields of earth with gratitude and hope”

– Wordsworth

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The obituary above was submitted by Calvin Shultz’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.