DR. EDGAR H. SCHUSTER

About

Columbia University University of Pennsylvania

EDGAR SCHUSTER Obituary

SCHUSTER

DR. EDGAR H., died Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at his home in Melrose Park. Ed was an author, editor, educator and beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his children Claire, Bill and his wife Francie and Nina Allred and her husband Charlie; his grandchildren, Gerald, Justin, Nicholas, Whitney, Corey and Laurel, and his brother Don.
Born April 7, 1930, he grew up in Philadelphia and attended Frankford High School where he excelled in academics and track. He received his under-graduate degree in English from Columbia University. In 1951, he married Mary Jane Moos who later died in a car accident. He earned an MA at Temple Univ. where he met and married the love of his life, Nancy Pence. He earned a PhD in English Education from University of Pennsylvania in 1973.
Ed received a Master Teacher Award from Harvard Graduate School of Education (1960) as an English teacher at Cheltenham H.S. and the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching (1969) as a professor at Beaver College (Arcadia University). He later taught at Temple, Lehigh and Penn State Universities and served as Curriculum Coordinator for the Allentown and Neshaminy School Districts. As an author, he wrote many textbooks for teachers and students. His latest book, Breaking the Rules: Liberating Writers through Innovative Grammar Instruction, is in its seventh printing. His articles on writing and teaching have appeared in English Journal, Education Week, and Phi Delta Kappan.
Ed was a strong supporter of the arts, a nature lover, a sports enthusiast and a Bridge Bronze Life Master and Certified Bridge Teacher. He was a Sponsor Patron of the Metropolitan Opera and a member of the Concertmaster Circle of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He will be remem-bered most as a gifted natural teacher and for his intellect and indomitable spirit.
A Memorial Service will be held 3 P.M., Sunday, September 11th, Abington Friends Meeting House, Jenkintown PA.
Charitable contributions in his name can be made to the Black Rock Forest Consortium, 129 Continental Rd, Cornwall NY 12518 - will be used to support environmental education.

www.wetzelandson.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Philadelphia Inquirer/Philadelphia Daily News on Aug. 7, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for EDGAR SCHUSTER

5 Entries

Marylyn Calabrese

August 1, 2021

Ed was a wonderful friend and a terrific bridge partner.

Marylyn Calabrese

August 1, 2019

Ed Schuster was a brilliant author and an incredible friend. I still miss him. In peace, Marylyn Calabrese.

August 28, 2011

I send my condolences to Ed's family. They have lost a loving member of the family

Marylyn Calabrese

August 24, 2011

Ed Schuster was a remarkable individual. As a gifted teacher and writer, his impact on the lives of his students and the countless readers of his books and articles is simply immeasurable. But I mourn his passing because Ed was, for me, a favorite bridge partner and a trusted friend.

Lori Caplan Clark

August 8, 2011

In 1982, I was a college freshman, at Penn State, in Abington. I didn't exactly set the world on fire in high school, and I came to college determined to turn around my questionable reputation as a student. My first day, I showed up in Dr. Schuster's class. He was charming, charismatic and energetic. Our first assignment: a descriptive essay. I summoned up as many vocabulary words I remembered from high school, and painstakingly wrote a five-page essay, describing a day in my life. To my horror, he refused to grade the paper, and returned it to me with a note simply stating, "This isn't what I asked for. You need to re-do this".

Back to the drawing board.

I wrote the next essay, instead, from my heart. Nearly effortlessly, I wrote a descriptive essay about my dad. With my words, I painted a clear picture of my father. As I submitted my assignment, I held my breath, hoping that, this time, I'd gotten a little closer to what Dr. Schuster wanted.

Apparently I had. I got an A.

This was the first in a long line of A's I would receive for that class. And with each assignment, I not only received the requisite grade, but also a commentary from him, explaining to me exactly what he loved about my writing.

I treasured those papers I'd written for him almost as much as I treasured his comments. They encouraged me, they challenged me but most of all they validated me.

Several years later, I ran into him. I was in my early 20's, and just trying to figure out my life's direction. As I told him my plans, he shook his head with disdain.

"I don't care what you think you are. You're a writer."

In my whole academic career, I had never been given a gift as great as what he gave me in that moment. Here was someone I respected deeply, and he believed in me!

I would love to conclude this note by telling you that I took his advice and became a successful author, or journalist, but, well...I didn't. But I never forgot his words. And in a very big way, he encouraged me to trust my own artistic vision, to express myself and to create from the heart.

I am lucky, that in my life, I had one teacher who really made a difference. And for me, that teacher was Ed Schuster. I am just sorry that I never got the chance to tell him that myself.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time, may his memory be a blessing.

Lori Caplan Clark