George J. Schuster, 88, of Vero Beach, passed away on Oct. 8, 2015.
He is survived by his wife Patricia; his children Patricia Pera and Scott Schuster; and his six grandchildren, Sophie, Caroline, Chloe and Olivia Pera, and Karl and William Schuster.
He was an exemplary leader, husband, father and grandfather and a true gentleman who treated everyone with the same courtesy no matter what their rank in life. He will be remembered as a compassionate man who cared deeply about his family, friends and community and who always behaved with absolute integrity, a generous spirit and a committed work ethic.
Schuster was born in Philadelphia in 1927, the only child of Paul and Sophie Schuster. As a young child, he lived in Germany for several years, and then returned to Pennsylvania where he excelled in academics, football and track at Jenkintown High School.
He joined the United States Air Force in 1945 when he was 18. He served in the 831st Engineer Aviation Battalion, building the Rhine-Main Airbase near Frankfurt, Germany. He returned home in 1948 and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Villanova University. He married his beloved wife Patricia in 1951.
Schuster had a successful career at the Budd Company, later known as ThyssenKrupp Budd, where he held a number of leadership positions in Philadelphia and Detroit.
He retired in 1988 as President of the Wheel and Brake Division and a Vice President of the corporation. He was admired and respected by everyone who ever worked for him, from the factory workers to his management teams.
In retirement, Schuster loved hiking in the mountains near his summer home in Highlands, N.C., playing golf with friends at Riomar Country Club, and boating on the Indian River. He served his community by volunteering with Vero Beach Power Squadron, Zoning Board, Marine Commission and Habitat for Humanity.
Service will be held in the chapel at Trinity Episcopal Church on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s memory can made to VNA Hospice House, Vero Beach. Online condolences may be made at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.