Schilt was born in
Cheyenne, Wyoming, U.S. on March 4, 1941. His parents were Louis F. and Mary Alice ( Linton) Schilt, and he had two siblings, a brother Louie and a sister RoseMary. His father was an
agricultural extension agent for
Laramie County, Wyoming. The family moved to
Laramie, Wyoming, in 1946 when Schilt's father was appointed director of the state extension service of the
University of Wyoming. Schilt obtained his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Wyoming in 1964. He then enrolled at
Arizona State University, where he earned a master's degree in 1966 and a doctorate in 1969 in the field of
psychology. In 1970, Schilt was named dean of student services at
Indiana University Southeast in
New Albany, Indiana. Schilt was named chancellor of the
University of Houston–Downtown, and assumed his duties on July 15, 1980. He was a finalist for the presidency of the University of Houston system in 1980, but was not chosen. In March 1987, Schilt was appointed president of
Eastern Washington University. with a three-year contract. On August 31, 1989, Schilt was named chancellor of the four-campus
University of Houston System. He had not sought the job, but his name was submitted for consideration by regents of the university. After resigning as chancellor, Schilt remained a professor in the University of Houston College of Education, retiring in 2018.
Personal life and death Schilt was married and had two daughters, Paige and Kristen. He and his wife later divorced. Schilt died on July 9, 2025 at the age of 84. ==Accolades==