Don Schlaff passed away

[Preece1]

All,

My Uncle Donald passed away two weeks....it has been difficult for me to write this and let people know that a hobby pioneer and one of the very good ones is gone. I spent the last couple of weeks going through his things, including many cards, and putting things in order. As some of you know, I have gone through some serious health issues over the last year,but nothing compared to the sadness of putting my uncle to rest.

Many will remember him by his hobby nickname, Santa Clause, in the 1970s when he would give free Old Judge, T206s, T205s, etc. to new collectors that would send him a self addressed stamped envelope. Anything he had he would give to someone in need or someone he could make happy with a gift. I learned my love of the hobby from him and will miss him more than words.

[DHogan]

Patrick,

I'm very sorry to hear of you loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[Leon]

Hi Patrick
Sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences. It's always sad to hear of old time collectors passing away. May your uncle rest in peace.

[CW]

I'm also sorry to hear about your family's loss, Patrick. Just from the Santa Clause story alone, it sounds like he was a great man who touched many people's lives in a positive way.

[ullmandds]

patrick...i'm so sorry to hear about your uncle...you have an amazing collection I can only imagine his influence!

[ethicsprof]

my deepest sympathy,
a great loss of a true hero and pioneer in the hobby.

barry

[benchod]

Patrick,
I'm very sorry to hear about your uncle. You told me how influential he was to you in building your collection.
My deepest sympathy

[Wite3]

Patrick,
so sorry for your loss...your uncle was a great collector and an even better man.

Joshua

[Republicaninmass]

Sorry to hear, his stories will live on!

[wonkaticket]

Patrick, sorry to hear my deepest condolences to you and your family. It’s good to see you pop up here just wish it was under better circumstances.

Cheers,

John

[oldjudge]

Patrick-I'm very sorry to hear of your uncle's passing. Hopefully, the new year will provide you only good news and better health.

Best--Jay

[barrysloate]

HI Patrick- I've been off internet for a couple of days due to the hurricane. Sorry to hear about your uncle, and my condolences to you. I remember you speaking about him on several occasions. And hope your health is improving. I've had my own health issues too the past year but am doing much better now.

best regards,
Barry

[Troy Kirk]

Very sad to hear this, my condolences to you and your family. I was one of the young collectors who received a free card from Don Schlaff in the 1970s, my first 1933 Goudey card which I still have today. He was amazingly generous to young collectors.

[griffon512]

sorry to hear of your loss Patrick, sounds like a great man

[toto215]

I was going through some stuff to put on ebay and came across an envelope that my late friend, Don Schlaff had given me. It's been almost two years since his passing and I still miss him. I decided to google his name and came across this site. Just wanted to pay my (belated) respects and say he was a very good friend and is sorely missed. We met nearly every week for over 10 years and his knowledge and generosity were legendary. He got me started on collecting stadium postcards and was always interested in whatever I brought to show him. From a handful of postcards that he gave me, I now have a massive collection and owe it all to him. And, of course, his stories from the early days were the best. Lunch with Don was the highlight of the week for me. May he rest in peace. Thanks for the memories, Don!

[Rich Klein]

When I started he was nice enough to send me some cards as well. I did not get any pre-war cards but I think there was a 66 Killebrew in what he sent.

Rich

[btcarfagno]

Sounds like a wonderful man. You should be proud to have known him.

Tom C

[Preece1]

Thank you for the kind memories. Don was my uncle but more like a second father to me. He brought me into the hobby when I was 6 at the 1971 Detroit show and we would go to the Troy Hilton shows. Goudey Ruth's were $1.25 and Gehrig's were $1.00. Sunday dinner was always at my families house and Don and I would talk cards for hours

I lived about 1 mile from his close friend Frank Nagy, and we would go over Frank's house to his basement where he kept his collection for a card tour every so often. Great memories of thes two hobby veterans talking cards over coffee and a little kid like me was allowed to just sit there and listen to amazing stories.

Some of the few cards I have kept are the three DiMaggio Leaf cards (blue, green, and yellow backgrounds) from Frank's collection that my uncle always loved. I look at them every once in a while and they brings back great memories.

He was always willing to give....and never turned down a request for cards or his time.

[E93]

Patrick,
I am very sorry to hear about your loss. All the best to you and your family.
JimB

[gfgcom]

Patrick,

Sorry for your loss

Dave Levin

[the 'stache]

Patrick, you have my sincere condolences. Your Uncle Donald was a wonderful man.

Nothing I could possibly say right now can assuage the sadness that you feel. And I feel awful knowing this, as it hurts me seeing good people suffer. But there is one thing I do want to share with you. It's something little, but I want you to know it nonetheless. The example Donald set is still inspiring people today. I can't tell you how many people have gone out of their way to do nice things for me since I joined out forum. Things done without expecting anything in return, done out of the goodness of their hearts. I could go into a lot of detail, but won't. The important thing is to know that the kindnesses your Uncle bestowed upon others...they have not been forgotten.