Dr. Robert “Bob” J. Schuster, Jr.

Dr. Robert “Bob” J. Schuster, Jr. passed away from kidney failure on August 10th, 2025, at SSM Health Hospice Home of Hope at the age of 81. Had he been able to do things his way (as he usually did), he would have passed several days earlier, but the hour of death was beyond even his control. Or maybe Robin was somehow able to make him late one last time from the other side.

Bob was born on September 21st, 1943, in Joliet, IL, to Robert & Rita Schuster after 36 hours of labor. It is believed by some that this inspired his eventual pursuit of obstetrics/gynecology with the goal of easing the birth process for all involved. (citation needed)

As a child, he attended St. John the Baptist grade school, where he excelled at math. From an early age, he felt the need to be of service and became an altar boy, a crossing guard, and delivered newspapers. His mother was often hospitalized in his youth (sometimes due to illness, more likely giving birth to his seven younger siblings), so he learned to cook rather than be subjected to his father’s culinary crimes (calves’ brains are not interchangeable with scrambled eggs).

The call to service led Bob to enter St. Joseph’s Franciscan Seminary in 1957 with the intention of becoming a Franciscan priest. Seminary life was stringent. Mass four times a day, no dating, phones, radio, with edited newspapers the only window to the outside world. The clothes he arrived with at the end of summer would be his only ones until the following spring; growth spurts meant cutting the elastic on his underwear.

Ultimately, it was not meant to be, which his children are grateful for. It was not the vows of poverty or chastity that would deter him from taking the cloth, but the vow of obedience. While amenable when the monks dictated he would become a professor, he balked when he was allowed no say in what subject he would teach. Fortunately, leaving the seminar meant he would never again be at odds with those in authority (and certainly never over what jokes are permissible in the workplace).

Bob then enrolled at Lewis College, which led to the medical school at UI Chicago, and an internship/residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago (the setting for the grimmer of his colorful medical tales). While at Lewis, just 5 months in the secular world, he met the love of his life, Robin Bartolomeo. They dated throughout college, married on August 12th, 1967, and welcomed their first child nine months and ten days later. In 1973, they moved to Fond du Lac with their two children in tow, with a third on the way, which would eventually be joined by a fourth.

It was at St. Agnes Hospital/Fond du Lac Clinic that Bob would enjoy a 48-year career as an OB/Gyn. Bob loved his work, his patients, and his staff, and they loved him in return. Many were the patients that came to him decade after decade, generation after generation. Of the over 10,000 babies he delivered, it was not unusual for the new mother to have been one of his previous deliveries. On a few occasions, he even delivered a third generation in the same family. His renowned medical knowledge, surgical skill, and compassionate patient care were rivaled only by his ribald sense of humor. While it would seem counterintuitive to tell a dirty joke to get someone to relax in the stirrups, somehow Dr. Bob perfected that maneuver. He also developed a pre-joke habit of looking over both shoulders for administrative officials and/or his wife, a maneuver he was not as successful at. A consummate professional, he touched many lives while wearing surgical gloves, but in the end, he touched many more lives as a compassionate human being.

While his practice demanded much of his time (many were the Christmas mornings put on pause so he could assist another child into the world), he still managed to attend the events of his children and later his grandchildren. But he was no more content to merely sit in the stands than he was to sit on the shore of his beloved lake house. His children, grandchildren, and even random children in the general vicinity could attest to his hands-on approach to fun. Be it playing chicken with inner tubes in the lake, putting on a fireworks display that would rival a small municipality, or playing an elaborate prank, Bob always wanted to put more smiles in the world. He was also not above throwing nuns in swimming pools, much to Robin’s dismay. Robin was about as successful at reigning in Bob’s wilder antics as he was in instilling in her the need to be on time. While seemingly opposites on paper, they provided each other with much balance and even more love and affection. They both took much joy in being active members of St. Mary’s parish, various charities, and being boosters for the many schools attended by their progeny.

Robin’s death in 2020 was a devastating blow for Bob. At almost 80, he had never lived alone before. Despite his loss, he continued to be there for his patients, his family, and his friends. His lifelong friend Mary Jo Berenz was there for him as well. Over time, Mary Jo went from friend to companion and from companion to a significant other.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Robin, his parents, Robert & Rita Schuster, his sister, Joann Fox, and his brother, Jim Schuster

He is survived by his four children, Rob III (Jennifer) (Waunakee, WI), Bart (Milwaukee, WI), Scott (Amy) (Glenview, IL), Robin-Nicole (Neil) Gaertig (Fond du Lac, WI); ten grandchildren, R.J. IV (Emilee), Amanda, and Reed Schuster (Waunakee, WI); Victoria, Brendan, Scarlett, and Holly Gaertig (Fond du Lac, WI); Ava, Ella, and Julia Schuster (Glenview, IL); his

brothers George (Joliet, IL), Paul (Lake Forest, IL), John (Rockford, IL), Mark (Crest Hill, IL); sister Janet Dalisky (Corvalis, OR) and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and Godchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name to St. Mary’s Springs Academy or WI Right To Life would be appreciated.

VISITATION: Robert’s family invites relatives and friends for a time of visitation at Zacherl Funeral Home, Fond du Lac, on Sunday, August 17, 2025, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.

SERVICE: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Fond du Lac, on Monday, August 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow in Rienzi Cemetery.

Visit www.zacherlfuneralhome.com to send condolences.