Robin Anne Schuster

Robin was born June 14, 1954 to Edward and Lillian Schuster. She was the youngest of three children. As a child, she loved to play outside and often stayed out until the very last ray of sunshine remained.

Robin grew up in Chicago, IL, moving to Des Plaines, IL. She attended and graduated from Illinois State University. During her senior year, Robin received a badminton scholarship, thanks to Title IX. After graduation, she became one the first female motorcycle instructors for her alma mater.

Teaching jobs were scarce in Chicago, so Robin decided to stay in Normal, Illinois. One of her motorcycle students helped her get a job with GTE Data Services which, subsequently, led her to transfer to Fort Wayne. It was there that Robin and Lauri’s 25 year journey began, in 1990, when they met while volunteering to build a shed for a friend.

Robin and Lauri were living proof that “opposites attract”. This was true of their families, too. The first Thanksgiving Robin spent with the Shanks was something on which they all look back and laugh. Robin’s family was formal and set the table before the meal. All the family members were expected to sit down and dine together. Lauri’s family was not as ceremonial and often treated the dinner like a buffet, standing around to eat. Lauri and Robin hosted the dinner that year. When Robin saw everyone picking up their plates to go to the “buffet line”, she had a fit and demanded everyone sit at the table. They sheepishly complied. But, this was the beginning of a beautiful bond between the Shanks and Robin.

They lived in Fort Wayne until 2002, when they were transferred together, by Verizon to Tampa, FL. In 2005, Robin retired from Verizon and settled into a life of helping others. While in Florida, they met Doug and Mike, who they affectionately call “the boys”. The two couples became inseparable when a mutual friend from Fort Wayne set them up on a “blind date”. In 2008, Robin and Lauri moved to Indianapolis. They were married December 21, 2014.

Robin was very involved at LifeJourney Church in Indianapolis. She was diligent to her duties, counting the weekly offering. As a member of the choir, she was always joyful and exuberant in her praise and worship. Lauri and Robin exhausted countless days and nights painting the new children’s wing addition. To top it off, they spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours building a train for the children to play on. For Robin, the train became her legacy, giving the children of the church a place to play for years to come.

Though located in different states during their adult lives, when together with her sister Jill’s family Robin typically presented a fun adventure as part of the agenda. From sledding to water park thrills to alligator air boating, cherished memories were created. Robin will always been affectionately known as “Honey Bunch” to her sister Jill.

Robin’s gentle soul touched many people through the years. This was evident by the outpouring of love and support she received after her diagnosis and until she took her last breath, on November 27, 2015.

The family would like to thank the staff at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN for the compassionate care Robin received. Thank you especially to Dr. Iwona Podzielinski, (Dr. iPod) and her staff for the tireless efforts provided. Thank you also to all of the family and friends who supported Robin during these past months.

Robin was preceded in death by her mother and father and older sister Susan. She is survived by her partner Lauri, their dog Lucy, her sister Jill, brother-in-law Ray and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Friday, December 4, from 5:30 - 8 p.m. at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home in Fort Wayne, IN. A second visitation will be held December 5, from 3 - 5 p.m. at Feeney-Hornak, Keystone, Funeral Home in Indianapolis, IN. A Celebration of Life will be immediately following the Saturday visitation at 5:30 p.m. at LifeJourney Church in Indianapolis.

In lieu of sending flowers donations can be made to LifeJourney Church in Robin’s memory.