KNOX — “Louis Schultz was born in Niskayuna on March 24, 1966, to a tight-knit Colonie farming family in the plant-growing business,” his family wrote in a tribute. “Lou loved heights.

“Rumor has it that as a kid he loved climbing up so much that he clambered up a street light, and his parents needed to be called. He had a lifelong adoration of trees and ascending up sky high. Lou once wanted to be an arborist as it involved two of his favorites, altitude and trees.

“On May 7, 2024, just before 10 a.m., he rose to soaring heights, beyond our grasp, unexpectedly and without warning. It was a day he was scheduled to return home from a grueling, week-long hospital stay. His heart stopped, and he was whisked in minutes. Bringing him back to Earth proved impossible.

“Those who knew Lou, knew of his passion for growing and nurturing anything living. Lou collected seeds and grew saplings, and would go on renegade plantings in local preserves before he had his own piece of land.

“Mostly plants but people, too, thrived from his tending. The bright green of spring was his favorite color. He was his wife’s ride-or-die, best friend, soul mate, strongest advocate, and partner in crime. Always leaving space for her creative pursuits, he cheered her on and spurred her forward, as he did equally for his son, Roger, and his budding interests.

“If you were related or friends with Lou you were blessed beyond measure. He was the proudest and best father, husband, brother, son, uncle, the most avid listener, soothsayer, writer, teacher and peacemaker there was.

“Lou had a fighting spirit and boxed, as a young man in his twenties, with the likes of Kevin Pompey at Uncle Sam’s Boxing Gym in Troy, New York. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Albany, his curiosity grew into being able to explain anything and everything with an analytical and empathetic heart.

“Writing a novel in stolen moments during lunch breaks, in his Staples delivery truck, he had a wonderful discipline and an uncanny knack for apocalyptic scenarios. In his most recent work, he provided peace of mind to retiring teachers at the New York State Teachers Retirement System.

“He was always up for adventures from living with the Navajo in Arizona, to moving to Berkeley, California, to trekking Adirondack wildernesses, to exploring far-flung corners of Germany, Scotland, Peru, and Romania. Climbing up Huayna Picchu for a bird’s eye view of Machu Picchu was one of the many thrills of his trip to Peru.

“He leaves us heartbroken on this latest, unseen ascent and we will forever miss his wry jokes, beautiful smile, endless knowledge, advice and warm, loving physical presence here with us. We are ultimately grateful for having had the chance to go on this wild dance of life with Lou, and all he grew so richly in us, and around us that we will treasure onwards and forever.

“We hope he is always watching over us. Grief is, after all, the price we pay for love, and love is all that remains, and it is everything.”

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Louis Schultz is survived by his loving wife of 16 years, Simona Bortis-Schultz; his son, Roger; his father, Roger Schultz; his mother-in-law, Vesalina Bortis, and father-in-law, Simion Bortis; his siblings, Roger Schultz Jr. and his wife, Debi, Catherine Schultz Hay, and Jennifer Schultz; his sister-in-law, Lavinia Bortis, as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

His mother, Barbara (née McLaughlin) Schultz, died before him.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit Monday, May 13, at New Comer Cremations & Funerals at 343 New Karner Road in Colonie from 4 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 14, at St. Lucy’s/St. Bernadette’s Church at 122 Grand Street in Altamont with burial afterwards at the Knox Cemetery in Knox, New York.

Memorial contributions may be made to Landis Arboretum in Esperance, New York at https://landisarboretum.org/donate.