Clemens M. Scholz

Rensselaer-Clemens Maximilian Scholz, 92, left us on July 17, 2026, to join his late wife on their wedding anniversary. Clemens was born in Wuerben, Kreis Schweidnitz/Schlesien, Germany, to parents Maximilian and Agnes (Juppner). Clemens grew up on a farm in a small town in Germany during World War II. After the war he and his family eventually settled in Hamburg, Germany. He moved to New York State in 1957 to join his brother Joe and extended family. He became a US citizen in June 1962. He was very proud of his German heritage but also equally proud to become an American citizen.

In his younger years, he enjoyed playing club soccer and traveling throughout New York State to play. He was a member of the German Club in Albany.

 In 1963, he married Edith. They settled in Eastland Park, Rensselaer, where they raised their children. Clemens enjoyed taking his family to Cape Cod and Maine for summer vacations, picnicking, hiking, and swimming in the Catskills. After a long day at work, he would take his family swimming at Grafton Lake, Crooked Lake, or Crystal Lake. He took pride in caring for his house, tools, lawn, and flower & vegetable gardens and could make, build, or fix anything in his workshop.

 When Clemens first immigrated to America his first job was working at Schaffer Brewery in Albany. Later, Clemens worked as a machine operator and iron worker. He worked for McKinney Steel, General Steel, and Albany Steel. He retired from General Steel in the 1990s. During his retirement, he enjoyed family trips to Cape Cod, Maine, California, and Germany.

 Clemens was devout in his Catholic faith as a member of St. Joseph's church in Rensselaer and St. Mary's Church in Albany. He loved the Latin Rite and singing "Stille Nacht" in German at Christmastime.

 Clemens is survived by his children, Regina (Joseph) Culbert and Bernhard (Karen Fulcher); his grandchildren, Steven Culbert (Callia) and Erica Culbert; and his brother Alfons. He is also survived by his nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife Edith, parents Maximilian Scholz and Agnes Juppner, and siblings Joseph Scholz and Elisabeth Boecker.

 The family would like to thank Community Hospice and the staff at the Home of the Good Shepherd in Saratoga for their care and compassion.

 Family and friends are invited to visit with the family from 4-7pm on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the W.J. Lyons, Jr. Funeral Home in Rensselaer. A mass of Catholic burial will be held the next morning, Friday July 24th at 10am at St. Mary's Church on Capitol Hill, Lodge Street, Albany followed by interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in East Greenbush.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Clemens' memory to The Community Hospice Foundation, 310 S. Manning Blvd, Albany, NY 12208 or The Fulcher Scholz Family Scholarship c/o. Siena College, 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211, please include Fulcher Scholz Family Scholarship in memo line.