In memoriam: Longtime engineer Gary Shulenburg dies

Gary D. Shulenburg, 84, died Oct. 20, 2022.

He was born July 21, 1938, in Gloversville, N.Y. to Ernest and Helen (Weaver) Shulenburg. After graduating from New York State Maritime College in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering, he sailed briefly on merchant ships. He moved to the peninsula in 1961 as a nuclear test engineer. He held various positions in engineering until his retirement in 1993 as director of commercial ship engineering. In 1995, he earned a master’s degree in education from Old Dominion University. In 1996, he started his “fun job,” running the steam engines at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, a job he continued each summer until his vision failed him.

He enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life: racing cars, golf, boating, and running ¼-scale trains. He had a passion for steam engines as evidenced by owning a steam launch with a wood-fired steam engine and building a ¼-scale steam locomotive. And, of course, he also loved spending time with family and friends and sharing a story over a beer or two.

Gary is survived by his wife of 60 years Carol B. Shulenburg, son Karl Shulenburg (Ronda), daughter Kirsten Thomas (Richard) of Mathews.