James David "Bill" Shumaker

James David (“Bill”) Shumaker passed away peacefully in his home on June 30, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He is survived by his loving partner and compassionate caregiver, Lorrie Foster, his daughter Michelle Polgar and her husband Robert Polgar, his grandchildren Ariana, Kaitlin, and Didier Polgar, and his ex-wife Rita Shumaker. He was preceded in death by his son James Michael “Shu” Shumaker, his parents Mattie Goodrum Shumaker and James Hutchinson Shumaker, and his sister Martha Ann Shumaker Washam.

“Bill” as his uncle Henry nicknamed him (after Wild Bill Hickok), was born in Charlotte, and while several adventures took him away briefly, he always wanted to return to the Queen City. He was the first in his family to receive a graduate degree. Overachiever that he was, he picked up two of them. After graduating from Pfeiffer College, he went on to pursue his master’s degree at Stetson University and his Ph.D. from Florida State University. He returned to Charlotte to teach Philosophy at Queens College (now Queens University). He later joined the Philosophy Department faculty at UNC Charlotte, where he served as chair from 1972 – 1984 and taught for nearly 30 years. He educated countless students in aesthetics, ethics, and critical thinking — those last two skills he often bemoaned should have been more present in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Over the years, Bill perfected his talents in surf fishing, bass fishing, trout fishing, beachcombing, cigar-smoking, sunset-watching, vodka-tonic-making, and Montana adventuring. He was the life of every party, able to hold his own in song by the piano or in an academic discussion in the parlor. He could also repair your lawnmower or rebuild your boat’s outboard motor. And he was a fabulous cook. He was kind and generous and was the man you always wanted on your side in any dispute. He loved the lake, the ocean, or just sitting outside watching the deer in the backyard. And he loved his family— and especially Lorrie — best of anything.

He was brilliant and knowledgeable and an inspiration to his children and grandchildren, who have gone on to pursue professions in the arts, health, public policy, and academia. He was so smart, in fact, that he hid his mental decline for years. Once he could no longer hide the symptoms of his illness, he volunteered for studies to advance the field of Alzheimer’s research, hoping that his experience might make it easier for future patients.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to the Alzheimer’s Association and advocate for government-funded Alzheimer's medical research.