This story is part of a series on aptly named people. To read previous stories in the series, go to our Aptonyms page.
Name: David Schach
Residence: Granite Falls
Occupation: Electrician for Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Pronunciation note: His name is pronounced the same way as “Shock.”
Q: How did your name direct your career path?
A: It really didn’t. I got my job, it happened right out of high school, and I’ve been doing my job for 18 years and I’m 37 this year. When I started, there really wasn’t an apprenticeship. Generally it was on-the-job experience. I just thought it was a challenging career and I would make decent money and it would be one of those careers that’s lasting.
Erector sets? Oh yeah. I had one. I’m getting ready to have a boy in November and I definitely had fun with my erector set and taking apart motorcycles with my dad, the whole mechanical thing.
Q: Would you change your name if you could, and why or why not?
A: No, I wouldn’t change it. I think I’ve had too much fun with my name so far.
Q: If you could choose another career, what would it be?
A: A helicopter pilot. It’s mechanical and I’ve thought that would definitely be a path I would go.
Q: How do you know when someone has picked up on the fact that your name is an aptonym?
A: They usually smile and laugh, and some don’t take me seriously. Then I say, “Well it is,” and they usually get it and just laugh and some say, “You should start your own electrical company,” and then I say, “Yeah and I’d call it Schach Electric — we’ll take the voltage for you.”
Q: How do people react to the combination of your name and job? Do they get it? Any funny stories as a result?
A: They think it’s pretty cool in general. It’s German and it used to have a T at the end. It translates to, I’m pretty sure, chess. And no, I don’t play chess.
My wife thinks it’s a pretty cool name, too. I met her in fourth grade. We went to high school in Friday Harbor. And then we kind of lost touch with each other for a while, but once we got back together, she thought the name fit me pretty well.
I don’t have any funny stories, though I told my wife that if we were going to have a daughter instead of a son that I want to name her Electra. And then her middle name would be Volt. So her name would be Electra Volt Schach. But I just don’t think my wife would let me do that, though.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424, goffredo@heraldnet.com
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