Schlumpf was born in Felsberg. He was elected to the Federal Council on 5 December 1979 as a member of the Swiss People's Party (SVP) from the Canton of Graubünden (Grisons). He subsequently handed over office on 31 December 1987.
Schlumpf died on 7 July 2012 in Chur, aged 87. He was the father of Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, member of the cantonal government of Graubünden (Grisons), who was herself elected to the Federal Council on 12 December 2007.