Robert T. Lustig

Robert T. Lustig was a man of dedication, integrity, humor and faith who was the foundation for his family. He used these qualities in all tasks that confronted him, be they military service, professional football management, husband, father and grandfather. Mr. Lustig's professional career spanned five decades working for the same man, Detroit businessman Ralph C. Wilson Jr.. After putting in 15 years working for the Ralph C. Wilson Insurance Agency, Mr. Lustig secured a position as vice president for Mr. Wilson's new company, the Buffalo Bills Football Club in the new fledgling American Football League in 1961. Several years later, Mr. Lustwig would add general manager to his title, one that he held for the longest tenure in franchise history. The Buffalo Bills provided Mr. Lustig with some of his proudest professional experiences. The 1964 and 1965 Buffalo Bill AFL Championship seasons were highlights in a fulfilling career that included overseeing the building of Ralph Wilson Stadium in 1973, the current home of the Buffalo Bills. Mr. Lustig left the Bills in 1979 when he returned to his hometown of Detroit to manage several insurance ventures for Mr. Wilson. "I was always amazed by how many NFL superstars and executives would tell me what a great man my dad was," said his youngest son, Tom, of Pittsburgh. "He was always my hero, but he never talked a lot about the importance of his job too much, around the house." Mr. Lustig was married for 53 years to Eileen Strachan Lustig, until her death in 2001. The couple had met at a parish dance sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Detroit, intended to reunite returning military men with the young women at home. Born July 12, 1924, Mr. Lustig was a 1942 graduate of Catholic Central High School in Detroit, Mich. Eight months after his 18th birthday, Mr. Lustig enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served as one of the youngest staff sergeants in the 104th Infantry Division, also known as the Timberwolves. A decorated infantry man, Mr. Lustig was awarded three Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars for his service in Europe during World War II. Mr. Lustig remained active during his retirement years, volunteering at hospitals and hospice services in Florida and Michigan. He was active as a unit representative of the Timberwolves, attending annual conventions and writing the newsletter for the 414th Regiment, "I Company." Mr. Lustig moved to the Pittsburgh area in 2004 along with his daughter, Christine, and son-in-law, Richard Danto, to reunite with his son, Thomas, and his family. Mr. Lustig died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005, in Pittsburgh, at the age of 81, after a short illness complicated by pneumonia. Mr. Lustig contracted the illness after spending the last five weeks caring for his ailing son, Michael, in California. Michael, age 52, from Ukiah, Calif., died on Oct. 22, 2005, after a brief bout with cancer. Mr. Lustig's fatigue and grief over losing his son contributed to his weakened condition and ultimate death two weeks after Michael's death. Mr. Lustig is survived by sons Robert, of Houston, Texas, and Thomas, of Ohio Township; daughter, Christine (Richard Danto), of Baden; and five grandchildren, Lalita, Vishnu, Gopal, William and James. Friends received from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the O'BRIEN/SULLIVAN FUNERAL HOME, 41555 Grand River Ave., Novi, Mich. A prayer and scripture service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with interment to follow at Rural Hill Cemetery, Northville, Mich. The family asks that donations be made to the Good Samaritan Hospice, 3500 Brooktree Road, Suite 320, Wexford, PA 15090, in Mr. Lustig's name.