Leslie Page Schultz passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 16th at his home in Rancho Mirage, CA.

He is survived by his three children, Les, James (Darlene), and Kristine (Rand Hutchinson), three grandchildren, Amanda (Charles Smith), Dylan, Cory and one great grandchild, Logan and nephew Gordon Paul Richardson. By his side was his faithful companion, Tiger. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Janice Marie and sister Barbara Ann (Gordon Richardson).

Schultz was born in Lake Mills WI on Sept 8, 1918 to Leslie Edward Schultz and Alma K Schultz (Page). He grew up in Prairie du Sac WI and attended High School. He was Salutatorian of his graduating class in 1936 and was an outstanding athlete earning 14 letters in 4 sports, and held the school record for 25 years before it was broken by Kurt Mueller.

He entered University of Wisconsin in 1936, lettered in Basketball and majored in Insurance. He was one of seven to earn a degree in Insurance a new major for the University. He graduated with Honors on June 18th 1940. He went on to earn his MBA in 1952 in Business Administration and Finance. He married Janice Marie Kindschi, his high school sweetheart on June 21, 1940 at the Lutheran Church in Prairie du Sac WI.

Les began his Insurance career at Northwestern Mutual for the French and Horner General Agency in Madison WI. His first son, Les, was born on June 24th 1943 and that same year Schultz reported for Active Duty in July at Thoggs Naval Station Long Island, NY. During World War II he served as a Lieutenant from 1943 to 1946.
Schultz reentered the civilian work force in July 1946 in Madison WI for a Property Insurance Co, Farmers Mutual, with the intention of getting the Auto Insurance branch into the Life Insurance business which was finalized in 1948 when Farmers Mutual became a General Agency for Union Mutual Life Insurance Co of Portland Maine. Les and Janice's second son, James, was born in Jan of that year, 1948. In 1952 Union Mutual sent him to California to become Vice President in charge of putting a large Property Casualty Co into the Life Insurance business there. In 1950 Les received his CPCU degree and in 1953 received his CLU degree in one sitting. There were only 5 to have achieved that honor of all 5 tests in one day. Les was one of those 5.

The family moved to Arcadia CA in 1952. In 1954 Schultz joined a new Insurance Co called Independence Life which worked with the Ross Loos Medical Group. He was Vice President of the newly formed Life Insurance division and became Executive Vice President in 1958. Schultz had his third child, Kristine in 1957.


In 1966, Schultz was offered a huge opportunity to accept a position as President of Bankers Security Life Insurance Co in Washington DC. In November 1966 moved his family to Washington DC. His office looked over the White House at 1701 Pennsylvania Ave. The company was in poor financial condition and by 1968 the company was once again profitable under his guidance. That year Schultz became President and CEO of United Services Life Insurance Co. with Bankers part of the empire. During the next 20 years he not only founded USLICO, but it listed on the New York Stock Exchange and became the holding company for 6 Life Insurance Companies located in several states. They had over 2 Billion in Life Insurance in force and over 400 Million in Assets. Schultz became CEO and Chairman for 6 years and retired at the age of 72 after spending 50 years in the Life Insurance industry. He was awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award of University of Wisconsin in 1988 and endowed a Chair of Insurance for the School of Business held by Professor Dan Anderson.

Many of his accomplishments included Past Master of the Masonic Blue Lodge in Wisconsin. He was President of the Big Ten Club in Los Angeles, Chairman of the Board of the Freedom Foundation in 1988 and 1989, and an ordained elder in the United Presbyterian Churches of America.

Les and Janice retired to Rancho Mirage CA in 1990. They lived at Thunderbird Cove for many years after having a second home here since 1980. They were members of both Thunderbird Country Club and The Springs Country Club and enjoyed golf and social activities throughout their life in the desert. In 1992, he partnered with his son James and daughter Kristine to buy Patios Plus in Rancho Mirage, still a family business today. His son Les retired from a successful investment career in 1999 at 55 and lives in Indian Wells and Rancho Santa Fe, CA Les Sr. was active in many local charities and loved the beautiful desert weather. His loving spirit and kindness was felt by all those around him. During his final years he was cared for by his faithful caregivers, Roger, Emma, Yvonne and Gloria. Les will be buried back in Wisconsin alongside his beloved Janice and next to his parents, Leslie and Alma, and sister Barbara.

Funeral services were held at Palm Desert Presbyterian Community Church on Hwy 74 at 1:00 PM on Saturday April 30th. In lieu of flowers family is requesting a donation to a charity of your choice.

An interesting side note Les and Charles Ploetz who traveled cross country together after graduating high school during the depression and become lifelong friends passed away ten years earlier on the exact same date.