Robert Conrad Schuster

July 17, 1935 – April 29, 2026

Robert "Bob" Conrad Schuster, a man whose life was a masterclass in structural integrity—not just in the highways he built, but in the character he forged—passed away peacefully in Olympia, Washington, on April 29, 2026. He was 90 years old. A devoted husband, father, engineer, and outdoorsman, Bob leaves behind a legacy as enduring as the Washington landscapes he so dearly loved.

Born on July 17, 1935, in a farmhouse just outside the small town of St. John, Washington, Bob was a true son of the Palouse. Growing up on the family farm, he learned early the value of hard work, the rhythm of the seasons, and the importance of community. His intellect was evident from the start; he navigated his studies with the same precision he would later apply to civil designs, graduating as the Valedictorian of the St. John High School Class of 1953.

Bob carried the pride of his hometown to Pullman, enrolling at Washington State College (now Washington State University). A lifelong and passionate Cougar, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 1957. For Bob, engineering was more than a career; it was a way of interacting with the world—a belief that with the right foundation and careful planning, any obstacle could be bridged.

In 1959, Bob began a distinguished 30-year career with the Washington State Highway Department in Seattle. However, his most significant "project" began at a Methodist church fellowship function, where he met Marcia Sue Deleplain. They married in 1960 and began their life together, welcoming their first two sons, Robert and Douglas.

In 1967, Bob accepted a position in the Yakima office, prompting a move to Zillah. This was an intentional choice for Bob; he and Marcia purchased a small "hobby" farm because he felt strongly that his sons should grow up with the same rural values and connection to the land that had shaped his own childhood. It was in this setting that their third son, Scott, was born in 1970.

Bob was a "dad" in the truest sense of the word. He wasn't just present; he was involved. In Zillah, he served as a Scoutmaster for over a decade, taking the troop on countless backpacking trips in the nearby Cascade Mountains. He didn't just teach boys how to tie knots or read a topographic map; he modeled what it meant to be a man of integrity, faith, and traditional values. Under his leadership, dozens of young men learned to respect the wilderness and, more importantly, themselves.

In 1985, Bob’s expertise earned him a promotion to the state head office, bringing the family to the Olympia area. After retiring from the highway department in 1989, Bob proved that "retirement" was merely a change in direction. Following a period of traveling, golfing, and tackling "fix-up" projects he so enjoyed, he joined the Sverdrup Corporation in 1991.

This second act of Bob’s career took him to Long Beach, California working at the port facility, and also across the Pacific to Pohang, Korea, to support a special engineering project for several months in 1997. Regardless of where was, Bob remained the same humble farm boy from St. John, more interested in the quality of the work and the strength of the bonds he built than the accolades that followed.

Bob fully retired and returned to the family home in Olympia in 1998. But in only a few short years, the joy of his return was tempered by the heartbreaking loss of his beloved Marcia. In the face of grief, Bob leaned heavily on faith, family and the great outdoors.

In a beautiful twist of fate, the town of St. John once again shaped Bob’s destiny. At his 50th high school reunion, Bob reunited with a former classmate, Joan Evans. Their connection was immediate and restorative. They married shortly thereafter, beginning a second chapter of companionship that brought Bob happiness and peace during his final two decades.

Bob was never more himself than when he was outdoors. An avid hiker, climber, and backpacker, he viewed the mountains as his true cathedral. In addition to countless miles of forest trails, he has climbed all of the major volcanoes of Washington, summited Mt. Whitney, and twice completed the grueling return hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Whether navigating a difficult trail or standing atop a peak, he found clarity in the clean air and alpine meadows.

Bob’s greatest achievement was his family. He is survived by his wife, Joan; his three sons, Robert (Brisbane, Australia), Douglas (St. John), and Scott (Tumwater); his five grandchildren, Robert, Rosemary, Jonathan, Erin and Michal; and three great-grandchildren, Maxwell, Ellie, and Hugo; brother Eric (Tumwater) and sister Ellen (Spokane).

From the wheat fields of St. John to the orchards of Zillah and the quiet forests of Olympia, Bob moved through the world with a steady hand. He believed in honesty, hard work, and a commitment to one's word. Bob would want to be remembered for his unwavering focus on faith, his devotion to his extended family, and the traditional values he lived every day. He leaves behind a family that spans the globe but remains rooted in the lessons he taught: stay faithful, look out for one another, and always leave the campsite better than you found it.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Tumwater United Methodist Church on May 27 at 1:00 pm. A graveside service and reception will follow in St. John on May 29. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the United Methodist Church, honoring Bob’s lifelong commitment to his faith community.

He has climbed his final peak, and the view from the top is surely magnificent.