Cover photo for Joseph L. Schuster's Obituary
Joseph L. Schuster Profile Photo

Joseph L. Schuster

May 21, 1932 — February 3, 2018

Joseph L. Schuster

A person’s true value is the good they do in this world and Joseph Schuster has touched many.

Dr. Joseph Lawrence Schuster, known by his friends as a caring and earnest man who loved his family, died February 3rd surrounded by his children and the love of his life, Sylvia. He was 85 years old.
Joseph was born in Teague, Texas on May 21, 1932 to Michael and Anna Schaffer Schuster. Raised on a diverse farm in East Central Texas, Joseph learned the value of family and working together and developed a love for land, natural resources and conservation.
He received an A.S degree in Agriculture Tarleton State College 1952; a B.S. in Range and Forestry Texas A&M University 1954; a M.S. in Range Ecology from Colorado State University 1959; a Ph.D. in Range Science, minor in Soil and Plant Physiology Texas A&M University 1962.
Upon graduation from Texas A&M University in 1954 with a military commission, he served 3 1/2 years’ active duty in the Army in fixed wing airplanes and helicopters. After his 32 years of service, he retired as full colonel.
In September 1969, Joseph established the first department of Range and Wildlife Management, Texas Tech University; in 1972 he moved to the Rangeland Ecology and Management department at Texas A&M University as a professor; in 1973 he was designated as the department head; in 1997, he began serving as a consultant for the department.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sylvia Needham Schuster of Tehuacana, Texas, sons and daughter-in-laws David and Carla Schuster, Stanley and Sherrie Schuster, James Kent Schuster, and daughter Suzanne Darrow; grandchildren Carter, Cameron, Garrett, Meredith, Abby and Will; his brother Edmund and wife Roxanne Schuster, and sister, Helen Schuster Matthews.

The family is requesting that instead of flowers that donations be made to the Joseph L. Schuster, Rangeland, Ecology, Management Scholarship at Texas A&M University.

His international student projects include Mexico, China, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and South America. During his career, he received numerous honors and awards, including the Legion of Merit Award from the United States Military in 1984. In 1986 Dr. Schuster was elected President of the International Range Society.

A visitation will be held from 6-8 PM on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at Hillier Funeral Home of Bryan with a funeral service to begin at 10 AM on Friday, February 9, 2018 at First United Methodist Church of Bryan followed by a reception at the church. Graveside services with Final Military Honors will begin at 1 PM at Bryan City Cemetery.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph L. Schuster, please visit our flower store.

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