Dr. Benjamin SCHUSTER

News Death Notice

SCHUSTER, Dr. Benjamin age 89, of Dayton, passed away Friday, August 24, 2012, after a long illness. Dr. Schuster was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and a resident of Dayton, Ohio since 1957. He was the Medical Director of the Kettering Cardiovascular Institute, a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Wright State University School of Medicine, and the Director of the Cardiac Diagnostic and Interventional Laboratory, Kettering Medical Center, from 1968 to 2000. Dr. Schuster earned his Bachelor's and Medical Degrees from the University of Wisconsin and served his internship at the Cincinnati General Hospital, where he met his wife, Marian. He also served his Residency and Fellowship in Internal Medicine at the University of Wisconsin Medical School that included a Cardiac Fellowship sponsored by the National Heart Institute. He created and directed the weekly Cardiology Conferences at the Kettering Medical Center since 1968 and founded the acclaimed annual Kettering Cardiology Colloquium. He played a vital role in creating the The Benjamin and Marian Schuster Heart Hospital at Kettering Medical Center - the naming of which was an honor he did not seek but was given to him in recognition of his decades of committed service and leadership. Dr. Schuster was the recipient of various awards and honors including Alpha Omega Alpha, National Medical Honor Medical Fraternity; Charles F. Kettering Humanitarian Award, October 2000; the DeWall Award given by the American Heart Association, Miami Valley Division, April 2002, in recognition of significant contribution in Cardiovascular Medicine; and the "Living Waters" award for Excellence in Mission Service in China, October 2003. He and his late wife also were the recipients of the Tikun Olam Award presented by the Dayton Chapter of Hadassah Organization "for making the world a better place". They also received The Citizen Legion of Honor Award presented 2005 by Presidents Club of Dayton and Chamber of Commerce. In 2009, Dr. Schuster was honored with the Grand Master's Community Service Award from The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio. Dr. Schuster, along with his beloved late wife Marian, were very active in the performing and visual arts community. They were lead donors for the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center. Dr. Schuster was on the Executive Board of the Dayton Art Institute and served on the Boards of WDPR Public Radio and Victoria Theatre/ACF. His generosity and vision impacted the Wright State University's Boonshoft School of Medicine, the School of Professional Psychology, and the College of Liberal Arts. Most recently, the WSU Creative Arts Center concert hall was opened as The Benjamin and Marian Schuster Hall. Dr. Schuster's legacy of saving lives, his commitment to education, and his dedication to his community will forever be a source of tremendous pride and inspiration to his daughters and grandchildren. Dr. Schuster was preceded in death by his beloved wife Marian and his sister Lillian Kahn. He is survived by his daughters Marla Nissan and Debra Tanger, both of New York City, and Karen Brace and her husband Rob Brace, of Boston, six grandchildren, his brother Morris Katz, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held Monday, 11:00 am at Temple Israel, 130 Riverside Drive, Dayton. Rabbi David Sofian officiating. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Heart Hospital or the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Center for the Performing Arts (Arts Center Foundation). BRADFORD-CONNELLY & GLICKLER FUNERAL HOME handling arrangements.