Obituary of William F. Schuster

William F. Schuster, 84, a newspaper man to the end, died Feb. 6 at the Villa at St. Louis Park where he had lived since July after illness had made it impossible to care for him at his Golden Valley home. Even in the nursing home, he requested a newspaper every day and until the last few days, he read it from cover to cover. Bill, who worked for the Star Tribune for 32 years, previously worked on newspapers in Freeport, Ill., Dubuque, Iowa, and Wichita, KS. Although his first job was as a reporter on the Freeport newspaper, he became the consummate copy editor, occasionally serving as a slot man (head of the copy desk). He was also proud of several columns that he wrote for the Star Tribune, particularly one chiding the North Stars hockey team for having a father/son event, but ignoring a mother/daughter (his wife and daughter) who attended the same game. He was born in Dubuque, Iowa, on July 12, 1934. Born into poverty, he put himself through the University of Iowa where he was managing editor of the school newspaper his senior year. He remained a loyal Hawkeye to the end, watching their football games every fall and attending them when he lived nearby. He met his wife at the newspaper in Freeport, where she also worked. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on December 28th. Together they raised two children, William and Cindy. They survive him along with two grandchildren, Tyler Schuster and Jordan Schuster. Bill is also survived by a brother, John Schuster of Mystic, Conn., and two sisters, Sandra Skelton and Judith Wegner, both of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Bill loved to read particularly mysteries and spy stories. While in Dubuque, he was active in the United Way. He was a loyal Cleveland Indians and Browns fan after adopting them as a teenager. Friends may call at Brunswick Methodist Church, 6122 42nd Avenue North, Crystal, MN 55422, at 10 a.m. on Feb. 16. Services at 11 a.m. In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The American Heart Association.