Robert SCHAD

Robert Schad passed away peacefully in Toronto, July 11, 2024, at the age of 95. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 33 years, Elizabeth; his children Michael (Claire), Katherine, and Mark (Karen); many grandchildren; and lifelong friends who cherished Robert's generosity and joie de vivre. He is fondly remembered by Martina and the Kendall, Hooker and MacDonald families. He is predeceased by his first wife, Herta; his daughter, Lili; his sister, Annina; his half-brother, Thomas and stepsiblings Marianne, Margrit and Wolfgang. Robert Otto Dietrich Schad was born in Karlsruhe, Germany on November 3, 1928. His was a childhood filled with athletic pursuits, a deep curiosity of the world around him, and a natural propensity for mischief, something he never lost. Following the war in 1945, Robert trained as a tool-and-die maker in a rigorous European apprentice program. He was at his best using his hands and his brilliant engineering mind, drafting and designing a better way of doing things. Even at a young age, he was all about solutions. Robert landed on the shores of eastern Canada in November 1951, making his way to Toronto with $25 in his pocket and a letter of reference from Albert Einstein. Within two years, he started a business to build a snowmobile which ran beautifully on asphalt but less so on snow. To pay off his debts, Robert opened a tool-making shop in the back of a garage which he built over 50 years into Husky Injection Molding, a global leader in the plastics machinery industry. When he sold Husky in 2007, the company had sales of $1 billion, 3,350 employees, customers in over 100 countries, a 75 percent global market share in PET systems and 1,600 patents. His professional accolades include the Man of the Year, 1972; Lifetime Achievement, 2005; Member, Plastics Hall of Fame, 2006; and International Businessperson of the Year, 2021. For his notable contributions in Europe, Robert was granted Commander in the Order of the Oak Crown from Luxembourg, an award rarely given to non-citizens. Robert was world renowned for his absolute honesty and integrity, always putting the needs of his customers first. He designed a workplace that was a model of sustainability, and an employee wellness program far ahead of its time. He understood that business and environmental and social responsibility were not an either/or proposition. They could exist in tandem. For Robert, there was no such thing as dreaming too big. He was a whirlwind of ideas, his mind always churning, his hands always moving, and he expected the same level of commitment and excellence from all those around him. He unapologetically cut a wide swath through mediocrity and demanded only the best from people. Robert loved animals and nature with an abiding passion and felt privileged to have the means to give back to society, donating $200 million to various initiatives during his lifetime. One of Canada's most respected conservationists, Robert founded the Schad Foundation which supported the creation of nearly 75% of Canada's protected areas and established Earth Rangers, the world's largest youth conservation group. Honouring his family's early connection with naturopathic medicine, Robert helped turn the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and the Schad Clinic into the largest and most respected institutions of their kind in North America. Robert earned countless awards for his work, including the title of Honorary Chief of Moose Deer Point First Nation, a rare honour for a non-indigenous person. He received honorary degrees from McMaster University, Carleton University and Humber College and was named to the Order of Canada. An avid skier, windsurfer, tennis player and horseback rider, Robert derived inspiration and energy from the world around him. He was always in motion, and possessed a youth, both physically and mentally, that was the envy of all those who tried to keep up with him – heliskiing well into his 80's. Robert was often found surrounded by friends, family and his beloved dogs at his favourite place, Lanoka Island, on the windswept shores of Georgian Bay. He was a perfect and generous host, indulging his guests in the finest of everything, often preparing breakfast himself after the mandatory swim around the island. He was a man of great integrity, whose word was his bond. His values of hard work, excellence, innovation and social responsibility remained firm and unyielding, even in the face of adversity. A private remembrance will be held for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to Earth Rangers at www.earthrangers.com. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.