The memorial service for Allen Schacht will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 25, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 869 7 ^th Avenue SE in Rochester with Pastor Adam Koglin officiating.

Allen "Al" Schacht, 84, of rural Hammond, passed away at Cottagewood Senior Communities on Sunday, June 19, 2022, after battling Alzheimer's and Dementia for the past couple of years.

Allen Jay Schacht was born on November 29, 1937 in Rochester, MN to Verl and Violet Schacht.  He was raised and educated in Rochester, graduating from Rochester High School in 1955.  Al went on to study at Rochester Junior College and then the University of Minnesota where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry in 1959.  He started his career with the US Forest Service on the Coeur d'Alene National Forest in Idaho in 1959 and worked in all disciplines on the Coeur d'Alene, Flathead, and Beaverhead Forests in Montana.  In 1963, he graduated with his Master of Science in Forestry (Wildlife) from the University of Minnesota.  Al served in the US Army Reserves for seven years. On September 21, 1963, he was married to Judith Vig of Albert Lea, MN.  They left Montana in 1966 and moved to Duluth, MN where Al joined the State & Private Forestry (S&PF) division.  He continued this work in St. Paul through 1971 and then moved to Washington DC to work in Rural Development and Special Programs for the Forest Service.

In 1975, they moved to Pennsylvania and Al worked for the twenty-state Northeastern Area.  He became Director for the Northeastern Area S&PF in 1980 and then ultimately the Associate Deputy Chief for S&PF in Washington DC in 1982.  He held this position until 1992 when he returned to Area Director for Northeastern S&PF until 1994 when he retired.

In retirement, Allen continued with his passion for the forest and outdoors.  He planted and harvested timber, was a master gardener, and continued the legacy of his father's championship Dahlias.  He also enjoyed playing softball, collecting baseball cards, and on occasion spent some time at the casino. He was involved in many activities and societies including the Soil and Water Conservation Society, Society of American Foresters, MN Forestry Association, Board Member of MN-Great Lakes Forestry Alliance, Wildlife Society, National Association of Conservation Districts, and President for Southern MN National Active & Retired Federal Employees (NARFE).

After retiring and returning to MN in 1999, Al became very involved in their church - Redeemer Lutheran.  He was an Elder and served on various boards in service to the church.

Al is survived by his three sons, Ret. Colonel Eric Schacht of Kansas City, MO, Steven (Jennifer) Schacht of Lander, WY, and Daniel (Michelle) Schacht of Brentwood, TN; six grandchildren, Meagan (Geoff) Ross, Brian (Caisley), Aidan, Zachary, and Jacob Schacht, and Daniel 'Paden' Bundy; three great-grandchildren, Emmalyn and Ellinor Ross, and Maeve Schacht; and sister Sharon Rae of Ft. Myers, FL.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and grandson, Justin.

Friends and family may visit on Monday July 25, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rochester one hour prior to the service.  Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer's Foundation or Arbor Day Foundation.