Robert George Schutze

Robert “Butch” Schutze, our incredible husband, father, brother, Opa and friend to all, left this earth much too soon to be united with Jesus on Monday, February 1st, 2021, in Austin, TX. He passed in his home, peacefully in his sleep.

Robert was born at the old Seton Hospital on December 17th, 1946, to Julius Jr. and Wylmeth Tyson Schutze, the youngest and only son of their three children. On the day of his birth, the nurse carried Robert from delivery out to meet his dad and presented him as his little Butch! From that day forward, you knew when and where people had met him during his life: different circles of friends called him either Robert or Butch, but never both. As a rare native Austinite, Robert grew up on Shoalwood Avenue, in a house his parents built in 1941. On the “outskirts” of town at the time, the house was situated on an acre plot of land. He had the happiest of childhoods with a family who doted on their baby boy. He had a wide variety of pets growing up, from dogs (the original beagle and all successors named Tippy) to a goat. Robert’s dad spent his professional career working for Austin Laundry, where all of Robert’s dirty clothes were farmed out to be laundered, starched, folded and returned clean. Thus began his love of starched shirts! Little Butch grew up playing catch with his dad in the backyard and little league with his friends from the neighborhood (becoming a little league assistant coach after he aged off of the field). He won many trophies and accolades for playing on, and helping to create, winning teams. Butch was a natural athlete and never met a sport in which he didn’t excel.

Robert grew up in the Allendale neighborhood, in the same house on Shoalwood, and attended McCallum High School. Butch played baseball and basketball all of his high school years and became a leading scorer and starter for both sports. He was also awarded the titles of Twirp Queen, More Handsome and FHA Beau. As a high school senior, and a guy who loved to work on his car out in front of his house, Robert met Pamela Cummings, a 10th grade girl who lived at the end of his street. Pam and her sister would often drive by, to see how the car work was coming along, naturally. After graduation from high school, Robert attended Blinn Junior college on a basketball scholarship then transferred to UT Austin. He ended up marrying the pretty girl from down the street, and they were married for 51 incredible years. Robert was employed for a brief time with Sterling Electronics, had a summer employment in Idaho working for the National Forestry Service, and enlisted in the Army Reserves before settling into his long-term career with the University of Texas at Austin, where he served for 35 years. Robert, as he was known by all at UT, worked at the chilling stations, where AC was supplied to all campus buildings. Young Robert climbed the leadership ladder quickly and became the assistant supervisor in no time. Not many years later, after his supervisor retired, he stepped up into the supervisor position where he spent the remainder of his 35 years. Back in the day, you never saw him without his work pager on his hip, as he was always on call! Since Pam also worked for UT, they rode to work together every day for the 32 years they worked on the same campus! At various times they only had one car. That was all they needed, because they were always together!

Robert enjoyed many things in life. He was savvy at repairing any part on an “old” car, from brakes to headliners to engines! He had an amazing knack for fixing and building anything, which went hand in hand with his incredible common sense, his desire to learn and his love of working with his hands. He always had a project going, from fixing to creating. One of his life dreams was to own a Porsche, and he finally bought “Little Red” a few years back. He and Pam would enjoy fast drives out to the lake and back. He loved the thrill of going fast, whether it was on a motorcycle, driving his boat, behind the wheel of a racecar on a racetrack, four wheeling, snowmobiling or guiding a luge down an Olympic track. Always a kid at heart, he would borrow a neighbor boy’s bike to ride up the street and pop wheelies, or spot Rhonda and her friends with gymnastics in the yard. All the kids in the neighborhood wanted to play at Rhonda’s house, because of him. Butch was fond of the Texas Coast, and he and Pam would go there several times a year -- sometimes only with friends and without the grandkids! He was often seen on the beach playing a mean game of washers, which he rarely lost. He appreciated his gun and his time spent at the gun range. Robert enjoyed caring for his yard, his house and helping his kids with both, as well. He thoroughly relished sitting on his back deck, drinking coffee and reading the paper, always enjoying his time in nature. He appreciated cooking unusual dishes and always entered the kitchen knowing how to perfectly assist without being directed. Robert savored eating out, especially with his Monday lunch church group and his high school men’s group. Robert and Pam were very active in their church, Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ, and served as small group leaders for the last several years. Robert could be a stubborn learner at times, but after finally officially joining the church in 2004, he jumped in with both feet and never looked back. He wore many hats at the church but his favorite role was front door greeter, where he was able to turn on his southern charm each Sunday as he blessed members with hugs upon entry. His church friends were no doubt some of his very favorites! He was a child of God and was so grounded in his faith. Yet, at the end of the day, his two grandkids were no doubt the key to his heart! He said at least once that, if possible, he would have skipped having his only child and gone straight to the grandkids!

He is survived by his only child, Rhonda Schutze Crocker and husband, Scott Crocker, of San Antonio and Austin; grandchildren Carlee Crocker of Philadelphia and Holden Crocker of Austin; sister Linda Clawson and husband Bill Clawson of Dripping Springs; sister Jill Burnett and husband Don Burnett of Austin; sister-in-law Pat Kirksey and husband Ken Kirksey of Austin; nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends who became family.

Robert was one of a kind in every way! He was a southern gentleman. He adored striking up conversations with strangers. He was always there to help a friend or stranger in need. He assisted the underdog. He was ready to stand up for the truth. He made Rhonda a hot breakfast every school day morning for 12 years. He was fun, funny, a people magnet, a leader, an athlete, super affectionate, competitive, had incredible physical strength, was the sparkle and light in every room.

To say Robert will be missed beyond measure is such an understatement…as we already long for our eternal reunion! A memorial service will be held in his honor on Saturday, July 30th, 11:30 am, at Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ, Austin.