Remembering Michael J. Schumacher: A Legacy of Biographies and Great Lakes Shipwrecks
Michael J. Schumacher, a prolific author from Wisconsin known for his diverse range of biographies and accounts of Great Lakes shipwrecks, has passed away at the age of 75. His daughter, Emily Joy Schumacher, confirmed his death on December 29 without disclosing the cause.
Schumacher's body of work includes biographies of notable figures such as filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, musician Eric Clapton, and Beat Generation poet Allen Ginsberg. He also delved into sports with biographies like "Mr. Basketball: George Mikan, the Minneapolis Lakers & the Birth of the NBA" and explored the world of comics with "Will Eisner: A Dreamer's Life in Comics."
Despite being born in Kansas, Schumacher spent most of his life in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he honed his craft as a writer. He was drawn to storytelling from a young age and focused on two main writing paths - biographies and narratives of Great Lakes maritime history.
Living by Lake Michigan, Schumacher chronicled significant events like the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975 and the tragic storm of November 1913 that claimed the lives of numerous Great Lakes sailors. His daughter described him as a history enthusiast and a compassionate individual who enjoyed engaging with people and their stories.
Schumacher's writing process involved filling numerous notebooks by hand and later transcribing them on a typewriter, a method that reflected his dedication to his craft. He was known for his generosity and love for conversation, often seen with a cup of coffee in hand and a notebook ready to capture the tales of those around him.
In memory of Michael J. Schumacher, his legacy as a talented author and storyteller lives on through his captivating biographies and accounts of Great Lakes maritime history.