May 20, 1968 – August 22, 2025
The Chesapeake Bay and the vulnerable communities along its shores have lost one of their most dedicated champions with the unexpected passing of David M. Schulte on August 22, 2025. At just 57 years old, David left behind a legacy of groundbreaking research, unwavering advocacy, and profound love for the watermen and families of Tangier Island, Virginia.
David understood that the fight for Tangier Island was more than an environmental issue: It was about preserving a way of life, protecting a community, and ensuring that climate change didn’t erase centuries of maritime culture. Through his work as a Regional Technical Specialist Oceanographer/Ecologist for the Norfolk District Army Corps of Engineers, he became an advocate for island, bringing scientific rigor to their cause and amplifying their voices in halls of power where they had long been unheard.
A Life Dedicated to Marine Science
David’s journey began as a young boy when he attended a lecture by Jean-Michel Cousteau, igniting a passion for marine biology that would define his entire life. That childhood inspiration led him through an impressive academic journey: from Lincoln High School to a bachelor’s degree in Marine and Environmental Biology at Millersville University, followed by both his master’s and doctorate degrees in Marine Science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at William and Mary College. Earning his doctorate in 2024 was, according to his family, his crowning academic achievement.
But David’s brilliance lay in translating his academic expertise into real-world solutions. His research on oyster restoration revolutionized reef-building methods in the Chesapeake Bay, dramatically improving reef health and earning a $300,000 grant for oyster restoration grant. His work didn’t just restore ecosystems; it provided a foundation for the communities that depend on them.
Bringing Tangier’s Story to the World
David’s commitment to Tangier Island extended beyond the laboratory. Whenever he came home from studying Tangier Island in recent years, he couldn’t stop talking about what he was seeing to his family, including his son, Zehao Wu, who listened with fascination: “It was all he could talk about at the dinner table.”
His groundbreaking research culminated in several influential studies. In 2015, he published a study in the journal Scientific Reports suggesting that the residents of Tangier Island would need to abandon the town between 2030 and 2065. In 2021, working alongside his son, David published a paper in the journal Frontiers in Climate showing that Tangier Island has lost more than half its habitable area since 1967, and predicting that it will be totally uninhabitable by 2051 without drastic measures.
The research revealed the staggering costs of climate adaptation: staving off erosion enough that residents could remain on the island would cost at least $250 million, while moving the entire town to the mainland would come with a price tag between $100 million to $200 million. But David understood that scientific papers alone wouldn’t save Tangier; the world needed to hear the islanders’ story.
His advocacy brought international attention to Tangier’s plight. Media outlets including the New York Times, Washington Post, Reuters, and numerous international publications featured his work and insights. He served as an expert consultant for the documentary film “Been Here, Stay Here,” which captured both the unique way of life on Tangier Island and the existential threat posed by rising seas. He was also a principal contributor to another Chesapeake Bay documentary with Black Spot Films.
For his work on oyster restoration and climate change studies, David received the Coastal America Award — recognition that his advocacy had reached the highest levels of government.
Voices from Tangier Island
The impact of David’s work resonates most powerfully in the words of those he fought for:
“We are gutted by the news of the unexpected passing of our friend, Dave Schulte. Dave has been the most steadfast friend and advocate that Tangier could ever have asked for. He worked tirelessly to bring awareness to the plight of this endangered community, with rare grit and gentle dignity. His research and advocacy has brought us closer to the help we’ve needed for decades than we’ve ever gotten. His loss is keenly felt. Rest peacefully, dear friend.” — Barb and Rob Baechtel
“I’ve been in shock since I got this news today! What a loss!” — Anna Parks
These words capture what made David extraordinary: his combination of scientific excellence with genuine care for the people whose lives hung in the balance. He didn’t just study Tangier Island; he became part of its extended family, understanding that behind every data point was a waterman’s livelihood, a family’s heritage, and a community’s survival.
A Renaissance Man
Beyond his professional achievements, David embodied a remarkable breadth of interests and talents. For over 40 years, he was a professional bodybuilder and powerlifter, earning recognition as one of the strongest men in Norfolk, Virginia. He trained in martial arts including Aikido and Kendo, and was an excellent archer with sharp-shooting skills.
At home, David found peace tending his Koi ponds, nurturing bonsai trees, cultivating vegetable and flower gardens, and maintaining coral reef tanks and axolotls. He was a beloved dog owner whose connections to his dogs were central to his life.
Tangier Island, Virginia 