Gary Schultz, 62, has played a prominent role at Penn State, even after retiring from his job as senior vice president for finance and business in 2009.

When the person appointed to succeed him left Penn State to take another job, Schultz agreed to return to the position this year, to fill in until another candidate for the job could be found.

Schultz lives in Harris Township. In 2010, university trustees voted to name a planned child care facility for Schultz. Schultz and his wife, Karen, attended the dedication ceremony for the center in September.

He has worked for the university for about 40 years. A native of Nazareth, Schultz graduated from Penn State in 1971 and went on to earn a bachelor’s and master’s in industrial engineering. He held several administrative positions until being named senior vice president and treasurer in 1995.

The division has 10 offices including budget, university police and public safety, human resources, physical plant, investment management, auxiliary and business services, corporate controller.

He is also chairman of the board of The Village at Penn State, a retirement community. Village Executive Director Marianne Hogg said she couldn’t comment on whether Schultz will continue as chairman.

“Certainly the whole situation is just very sad, tremendously sad,” Hogg said.

“He’s been a tremendous leader ... through some very difficult times,” she said.