John Schlecht

John Schlecht, 80, was born in 1942, the only child of John and Anna Schlecht. He was raised in a farming community of Germans from Russia who settled in North Dakota in the 1800s. They still spoke German at home, so Dad was quite surprised to start kindergarten and learn a "new" language, English. Despite these humble beginnings, Dad excelled in school. Upon leaving the family farm, he spent 4 years in the US Navy in California where he met his wife Betty and started a family. Returning to the Midwest, he entered the 5-year Accelerated BS/Masters program in Electrical Engineering at the University of Minnesota, completing it in 3 years, summa cum laude. Since he had a young family to support, he simultaneously held down a job in the Physics Lab at U of M. Dad didn't think this was anything special... when asked how he carried such a full load, he said, "Oh I just ran a lot around campus".

After graduation, Dad worked as an electrical engineer for Northern States Power in Minneapolis. The family moved to suburban Atlanta in 1976 when Dad was asked to head the Engineering Dept of the newly formed Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia. He retired from MEAG as VP in 1994. He & Betty moved to Cumming, GA and he began his second career teaching AP Calculus at North Forsyth High. Dad loved fishing in his boat on Lake Lanier, golfing with his golf group, trying his hand at art and stained glass, and most of all, traveling the world with Mom. In his later years, Dad was diagnosed with COPD, and it has presented many challenges over the last 10 years, but Dad is now breathing freely in heaven.

John is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Betty, and their children Joanne (Todd), Robert (Lan) and Michael (Trina). He loved being "Grampy" to his 6 grandchildren, who were his pride and joy: Henry (Martha), Elizabeth, Eleanor, Syon, Ian, and Avery.

Funeral Mass: 11:00 am Thursday, January 12, 2023 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Cumming GA, followed by a lunch reception in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Family Promise of Forsyth County GA 309 Pirkle Ferry Road, Bldg D, Suite 500, Cumming GA 30040