Shirley Davis "Rusty" Schumacher

I think of Rusty and Hazel often. I miss them. They were always an inspiration to me on how to live your life : always active and engaged with their many friends and with family. Lives well lived.

Rusty once volunteered with great relish to come and stay with my 6 year old daughter at my mom's house when we were visiting my mother (Nancy) in Ann Arbor. Rusty was so happy to be able to spend an entire evening with Alejandra, and I remember her also so present with Ale, really able to be with her on her little 6 year old level. Rusty for sure had a special way with children.

I'm so glad to have had Rusty as my homeroom teacher for 7th and 8th grade (1982-1984). She was funny, kind, principled, empathetic, outward-thinking, progressive, and pretty much my favorite of all the teachers I had through the years. She would cry when she would read us books about Hiroshima. She was the first person to teach me what tofu was when she brought some to class. She had an abundance of positive energy she shared with everybody she met.
She kept track of me well in to...

Not until today I got to know that she passed away. I feel very sad. She has been surely an enormously influential individual who succeeded in establishing the effective initial international relationship between Hikone, Japan and Ann Arbor, Michigan, and her influence even reached to promoting very nice friendly relationships between Japan and the state of Michigan while she was serving as the program director for the Ann Arbor-Hikone program as well as even after she retired. Many young...

I will always be grateful to Rusty for her dream to have an exchange student program with Hikone. Not only did I witness many students have a life changing experience but many teachers did too. I was one of the lucky ones. Her foresight and commitment allowed me to have wonderful experiences in Japan and make life long friends across the world. Many former students made incredible choices for service and work after this opportunity.

Rusty and Hazen were dear long term friends of my parents. They were part of a kind of "clan" of close Ann Arbor friends who supported each other through thick and thin and were, forever, there for each other. As time passed, children grew up, children left home, people retired, and various dear spouses died, the clan changed accordingly but the companionship, love and devoted friendship among remaining members persisted right up until the inevitable very end. I grew up in a household...

I just found out today about Rusty's passing. I knew her through Hazen and various jazz activities. She really impressed me at all times with her kindness and intelligence. They seem to me to be a great couple and I assume great parents. So sorry for your loss.

goodbye rusty. you and hazen were the most special people in ann arbor....and both are so very much missed. you gave and gave and gave to the community. I'm glad to have been able to spend time with you in my jitterbug days. my thoughts go out to the family and friends who are left with a big hole in their hearts.

Schumacher-sensei, your strong commitment on the success of the Hikone - Ann Arbor student exchange program is highly appreciated.
We are proud of that we have the great privilege and responsibility of carrying your vision into the next generation.
Our thoughts are with you.