Dr. Robert D. Schulze

n Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2008 local podiatrist Dr. Robert D. Schulze (Bob), our father, grandfather, uncle, and friend passed away from leukemia. After sharing the last six weeks at home with his three children, he left us quietly and too quickly. Dr. Schulze lost his wife Anne just 4 weeks ago to lymphoma. While this second death is terribly difficult for friends and family, there is truth to what his grandson Brian shared in saying, "there is something sweet in knowing that they are together again so soon." Born in San Francisco on February 26, 1933, Bob was predeceased by parents John and Glenna Schulze of Napa, CA, brother Jim of Sacramento and sister Norma of Poulsbo, WA. He is survived by his son Robert C. Schulze (MrFixIt) of Redlands, daughter Polly Schulze (Don Elser) of Aptos, CA, daughter Robin Root (Terry) of San Jose, CA, nephew Chris Wilcott of Riverside, niece Lisa Olson (John) of Poulsbo, WA and 5 grandsons, Daniel Root of San Jose, CA, John Root of Portland, OR, and Brian Root (Julia) of New Orleans, LA and Brian and Sean Elser of Aptos, CA. Bob was raised in Napa, CA and has kept close ties with friends from high school where he was on the rifle team and in the marching band, playing the French horn. He loved his trips to the reunions so that he could catch up with the old buddies he had left behind when he enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Norton AFB in San Bern ardino. A blind date in 1952 led to his marriage to Anne Larsen in 1953, and other than a four year stint in Northern California while he attended podiatry school, the two of them lived in Redlands raising their family of three and running the podiatry practice together. Dr. Schulze, or Dr. Bob as many patients called him, started that practice in Redlands in 1962 in an office on Cajon Street, and later moved to his current office on Fern Avenue. As recently as two weeks ago, he sat behind his desk and s hared that there was nothing that he liked better than working and helping his patients. It was with great sadness that he had to step away from what he loved so deeply. His love for his patients was returned and was has been evidenced in the dozens of comments, letters and inquiries about him. The family recently noted that their dad had 'The Oath of the Podiatrist' on the wall of his privated office. The oath includes the following: "In my association with humankind, both within and without my professio nal life, I will endeavor 'to do unto others exactly as I would that others do unto me and mine'." They are proud of the fact that he lived according to this oath, serving the community in many capacities including years on the traffic commission and active memberships in the Rotary and Elk's clubs. Dr. Bob was successful in his profession of 46 years because he treated each patient with dignity, offering a smile, a warm welcome, a twinkle in the eye and a good ear for listening. He was the 'real dea l' when it came to caring for those he worked on. His kids have teased him these last months about a 'rock star'. This stems from their experiences with him at both City of Hope and Loma Linda Hospital where they observed staff lavishing him with affection beyond the normal attention given by healthcare workers. Faces brightened, smiles got bigger, and hugs were offered when Dr. Bob was around. He extended his affection and caring not only to his own patients but to those who were treating him and his w ife Anne. He enjoyed life and found much to be happy about. He had a wonderful, recognizable laugh that resonated across a room. Bob was a man of surprises and diverse interests. His love of golf went deep and he relished his Saturday morning golf games at Redlands Country Club that gave way to Saturday morning breakfast with his buddies when he was too ill to play. As a member of the Riverside Foreign Car Club he and Anne worked events at the Riverside Raceway as well as participated in numerous ralle ys and slaloms. Many may not know that he also liked Jeopardy and knew some pretty random information, the history channel fascinated him, he loved to fish, he used to bowl a mean game, he liked simple things like tortillas and butter, loved a good joke, valued his friendships, and was proud of his kids and grandkids. His children want to also honor their father by publicly thanking him for the loving care he provided their mother as she fought lymphoma, and especially this last year as he fought his ow n battle. A celebration of Dr. Schulze's life will be held on Sat., Dec 20th at the Elk's Club in Redlands, 663 New York Avenue. A memorial service will be held in the lodge at 1:00, with a gathering of all those who loved Bob to follow at 1:30. Please come to share food and a story of thought about Dr. Schulze. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Dr. Schulze's name. Recipients will be designated in Thursday's edition.