Robert Charles Schuler
SCHULER--Robert Charles. President of Celebrity International, Inc. A
Personal Memorial from his wife, Metropolitan Opera star, Patrice
Munsel Schuler, his children and grandchildren. My husband, Robert
Charles Schuler, was the handsomest -funniest -most adventurous man I
have ever known. He was a great business man, a fabulous father to our
four children, Heidi, Rhett, Scott and Nicole, and grandfather to two
wonderful grandsons, Stefan and Aleksander, all of whom have inherited
his great sense of humor and adventurous spirit. His friends, both
famous and infamous, were friends for life. Bob attended Cotter Prep,
St. Mary's College, University of Minnesota, Northwestern University,
and was a proud member of the Alpha Tau Omega (Gamma Nu Chapter)
fraternity. He studied at Max Reinhardts Theater School, and with Lee
Strassberg at the American Theatre Wing. His first job was as an
advertising copy writer at Sears Roebuck in Chicago. Hating the cold
in the Windy City, he told his boss he was leaving, and that same day
drove to California, where he settled in the Colony at Malibu, and
founded the Malibu Theatre. He played bit parts in movies ("The
Canterbury Ghost" was one of them) for MGM, Columbia, and Universal
Studios, became assistant Advertising Manager of Western Airlines, was
Associate Producer of the Broadway play, "Laura", and conceived and
was Executive Producer of "The Patrice Munsel Show" on the ABC-TV
Network in the 1950's. At the Young & Rubicam Advertising Agency in
Manhattan, he was a Director and TV Casting Director. For 15 years,
before his retirement, he was President of the prestigious Public
Relations firm, Celebrity International, Inc. in New York City. A
superb writer, he freelanced for "Details" Magazine, submitted
numerous pieces for high profile clients in the society columns, and
he wrote eight travel books called, "The Little Book: Dare to Do It
Yourself" series. One of his proudest accomplishments is the wonderful
book he wrote about our crazy and wonderful 55 years of life together
entitled, "The Diva And I". Our Dad's enthusiasm for childlike
excitement led us on a lot of wonderful adventures together, some
exotic, some cheap fun...all zany! He gave us a love of skiing,
snorkeling, exploring and excitement for Life! He was a big bear that
taught us to love, be compassionate, honest and kind. We love him for
that. Our grandfather, "Big Dado" was one of the greatest and most
influential men in our lives. If we could be half the man that he was,
we'll have lived a very full and meaningful life. He showed us the
world with new eyes. At noon on Christmas day 2007, in the snow
covered Adirondack Mountains, at his home, Robert Charles Schuler,
born in Winona Minnesota, left on his greatest adventure. He is
survived by his wife, Patrice Munsel Schuler, his children, Heidi
Schuler Bright, Scott Schuler, Nicole Schuler, and his grandsons,
Stefan Kocev and Aleksander Kocev. His son Rhett Schuler died in 2005.
He is also survived by a brother, William Schuler, and a sister, Mary
Lou Safranek. For my husband and our father and grandfather, Life was
a big box of chocolates. Robert Charles Schuler 1917-2007. We Love
You!

Published in the New York Times on 1/6/2008.