Longtime volunteer Murray Schlotzhauer continues giving back to community

Murray Schlotzhauer is pictured at the Stratford Farmers’ Market at the Burnside Agriplex. Gary West photo

By Gary West

Few people in Stratford and Perth County are as widely known for their volunteer spirit and community involvement as Murray Schlotzhauer.

Even in his senior years, Schlotzhauer continues to dedicate countless hours to organizations, events and causes throughout the region, earning a reputation as someone who never seems to slow down.

Born in 1943 on the family’s mixed dairy farm on Lot 39, Concession 1 in North Easthope Township, Schlotzhauer was raised by parents Fred and Viola Schlotzhauer alongside his siblings on the eastern edge of Stratford.

“Murray always says he learned early in life that hard work takes you a long way,” friends and family often note.

As a boy, he walked with his siblings to Elmhurst Public School on McKone’s Road, joking today that unlike many stories from the past, it certainly was not uphill both ways because the land around Elmhurst was flat.

After attending Stratford Central Secondary School before Stratford Northwestern Secondary School had even been built, Murray Schlotzhauer continued his education at Wells Academy Business School.

Following graduation, he worked for four years at Cooper Bessemer, also known locally as the CN shops, before moving to Blackstone Industries on Romeo Street, where he spent another decade working in the office until 1979.

At the same time, Murray Schlotzhauer and his wife, Heather, who was originally Heather Murdoch of Stratford, farmed near the family homestead. Today, son Murray Jr. continues farming there with a broiler-chicken operation.

Despite balancing work and farming responsibilities, Murray Schlotzhauer found time to become deeply involved in volunteer organizations throughout Perth County.

He joined the Shakespeare Optimist Club and was named Optimist of the Year in 1985. He also served for 20 years on the Stratford and District Agricultural Society board, where he helped promote agricultural education through programs like “Farm to You” at the Stratford Fall Fair.

His volunteer efforts have earned widespread recognition over the years.

In 2011, Schlotzhauer was named Citizen of the Year by the Stratford Beacon Herald. More recently, he received Ontario Pork Congress’ Volunteer of the Year award and was presented with the Queen’s Jubilee Medal by MP John Nater.

Three years ago, he was also honoured with the Rotary Club’s prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship for his ongoing commitment to community service.

Music and community events have also played a major role in his life. Over the years, Murray Schlotzhauer performed with the North Easthope Bagpipe Band and later with the Stratford Police Pipes and Drums.

Many local residents also remember Murray Schlotzhauer as the longtime anchor for the South Easthope tug-of-war team, a position he held for more than 41 years under coaches including Al McKone and Glen Bast.

“Some of our longest pulls happened at the Stratford Fall Fair on Friday nights in the dirt at the Rotary arena,” Murray Schlotzhauer recalled.

His volunteerism extended well beyond fairs and community clubs. Murray Schlotzhauer has spent years volunteering with the visiting hospice program in Stratford and Perth County, efforts that earned him the June Callwood Award.

More than 40 years ago, he was also among the first volunteers to ring bells and collect donations for the Salvation Army Christmas kettle campaign at the corner of Downie and Wellington streets in Stratford.

Today, Murray Schlotzhauer continues serving as groundskeeper for the Stratford and District Saddle Club located on the family farm on Vivian Line east of Stratford.

Together, Murray and Heather Schlotzhauer also spent more than 10 years as foster parents while raising their own children – Murray Jr., Trevor and Meredith – and are now proud grandparents and great-grandparents.

For more than 35 years, the couple has volunteered together delivering Meals on Wheels throughout Stratford and Perth County.

Even while devoting so much time to volunteering, Murray Schlotzhauer also helped both of his sons establish successful farming operations of their own, one in broiler chickens and the other in dairy farming in North and South Easthope townships.