Robert B. Schulze died peacefully on July 9, 2016, after a long and courageous struggle recovering from a stroke in 2009. Born in Greenwich, Conn., on July 2, 1926, he spent most of his life on the waters of Long Island Sound; the sea was a part of his life. His family was one of the founding members of the Greenwich Boat and Yacht Club, of which he was an active member for many years. A talented mechanic and carpenter, there were few things he couldn’t fix. He was a WWII and Korean Navy veteran, serving in the South Pacific.
Upon retirement, he and his wife Mildred moved to Martha’s Vineyard, where they lived for 18 years. He was known on-Island as “Bus Driver Bob,” and he transported many up-Island children to Chilmark and West Tisbury Schools. It was a job that brought him great joy. Both he and his wife were active members of the West Tisbury Congregational Church. Returning to Connecticut in 2006, the couple settled in Montville until moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 2011 to be near their daughter and grandson.
Mildred A. Schulze died peacefully on Sept. 1, 2012, from complications from a stroke suffered in 2010. Also born in Greenwich, Conn., on June 21, 1927, she married her childhood sweetheart, whom she met at a square dance at the Round Hill Community Center. Mildred was most happy when surrounded by her family. An excellent cook, she was a private chef for many years. An exquisitely talented seamstress, she made beautiful clothes and slipcovers effortlessly. During her retirement on Martha’s Vineyard, she excelled in making crafts and baked goods for the West Tisbury Congregational Church events, and was the proudest grandmother of her grandson Justin. She too shared her husband’s love of the sea.
They are survived by their daughter Janet E. Schulze and grandson Justin A. Schulze of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and many nieces and nephews from all along the Eastern Seaboard who treasured their Uncle Bobby and Aunt Milly as much as they were treasured by them; including Beverly Robinson of Edgartown, Doug Johnson of Vineyard Haven, Jerry Johnson of Beaufort, N.C., and Don Johnson of Intervale, N.H. Their love for children was boundless.
Married for 65 years at the time of Mildred’s death, both had agreed they would wait and be interred together at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. Interment will be in October at a date to be arranged.
