Scott Caulpetzer

Show up.

Pay attention.

Tell the truth.

Don’t be attached to the outcome.

From the cultural anthropologist Angeles Arrien’s book The Four-Fold Way, these principles guided Scott’s practice, teaching and life.

Scott Caulpetzer, 74, died peacefully on September 26, 2026, in Davenport, IA. A graduate of Rock Island High School and Western Illinois University, he was a lifelong learner and voracious reader. Scott began his career at EICCD Career Assistance Center as a dedicated facilitator for programs focused on creating career pathways for students. Additionally, he was instrumental in designing, implementing and teaching programs for underserved youth.

In 1972, while a student at Western, he was introduced to the art of t’ai chi chu’an and it became his enduring passion. He began his studies with Great Grandmaster William C.C. Chen in 1983 and regularly attended his workshops throughout the midwest. Grandmaster Chen awarded Scott full certification in his style in 1988, followed by a diploma in 1994. In his practice and teaching, Scott emphasized correct body mechanics, breathing awareness, the true power of softness — and laughter.

Scott embraced every detail of the workshops and classes, read widely and found great satisfaction in exploring the lessons of t’ai chi, history, philosophy and cultural anthropology with his students. His techniques were broad and diverse, tailored to a wide range of audiences and he shared his knowledge throughout the Quad-Cities at CommUniversity, St. Ambrose University, Davenport Family Y, Rock Island Fitness Center, EICCD Professional Development, and Davenport Community Schools Continuing Education, among others.

He also taught classes through Great River T’ai Chi Ch’uan, which he founded in 1986. He believed that every life could be enriched by the lessons and connections he found through his study and daily practice.

Scott is survived by his wife, Sally Paustian, stepson Gregory Flatt (Sarah) and granddaughters Elise and Audrey Flatt. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Norma Jean (Davis) Caulpetzer and brother Stephen.

Visitation will be held from 3–5 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home in Davenport. His ashes will be scattered privately by his family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Scott’s favorite organizations:

International Wolf Center https://wolf.org/support/donate/

Nova Ukraine https://novaukraine.org/donate/

Riverbend Food Bank https://riverbendfoodbank.org/donate/

Online remembrances may be expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com