Obituary of Robert Burke SCHUETT

July 18, 1944 – Clinton, Ontario August 30, 2018 – Calgary, Alberta Bob Schuett of Calgary, passed away on Thursday, August 30, 2018. He was 74. Although Bob’s health had been deteriorating this year, his death was sudden. Born July 18, 1944 in Clinton, ON, he was the eldest of three children. Bob’s father was a well-respected general contracting executive and the family moved often. Bob received his education from the Jesuits at boarding schools across the country. He excelled at school and loved to take apart radios and build models. Much was expected from “Bobbie,” and he delivered. The family recognized his capabilities at a young age and looked up to him and trusted his leadership. If there was anything difficult to be handled, he took care of it. He filled the gap their father left when he passed at age 59, and he continued to mentor and support his sisters for the rest of his life. Bob met his wife Cheryl at a picnic at Camp Cadicasu when they were teenagers attending St. Mary’s High School in Calgary. They attended University of Calgary (U of C) together where Bob completed his BSc (math) and Cheryl completed her teaching certificate. They remembered great times with friends as members of the Radio Society. While a student, Bob worked as a late-night DJ for the local radio station. The couple began their family in Calgary but moved to Vancouver, Toronto, and Edmonton in the early years. They decided to set down permanent roots in Calgary in 1975 where their youngest four children were born. Bob was determined to provide a stable foundation on which their close-knit family could grow. Bob found much professional success and satisfaction in three different careers during his lifetime. In the early years, he followed his father into construction, working in virtually every aspect of the industry. He took on various managerial roles at the Foundation Group of Companies, Northcan Construction Management Group, Northern Construction, and Lear Construction. Any conversation with Bob would inevitably include a story about a building on which he had worked. He became Chairman of the Alberta Construction Association in 1981 and the youngest Chairman of the Canadian Construction Association in 1984. In the early eighties as the local construction industry suffered economically, Bob adapted his developing passion for the emerging field of computer technology and joined XI Consultants. From here he launched his career as an entrepreneur and created Construction Management Technologies Ltd., specializing in accounting software for the contractors. In 1998, at the age of 54, Bob returned to the U of C to complete his LLB. Around this time, he encouraged Cheryl to return to the university as well where she completed two degrees. Bob articled at Field, Atkinson, Perraton LLP and worked there until 2003. Determined to get back out on his own, Bob created Schuettlaw where he combined his legal education with his extensive knowledge of construction. He built a well-respected construction law firm by mentoring his junior lawyers on the nuances of the construction industry. While he continued to run his law firm, Bob was a sessional instructor at the U of C for the past twelve years. He particularly enjoyed teaching contract law to people in the construction industry on behalf of Continuing Education, and most recently created and delivered the first ever construction law course in the Faculty of Law. In his seventies, Bob began working as a marriage commissioner on the weekends. To his employees, colleagues, clients and students, Bob was known as an extremely intelligent, logical, confident problem solver. He led with integrity and principle, but he was also warm, kind, generous and always fair. Bob was fun-loving, had a wonderful sense of humour and always sought out the best in others. Bob was an active community member all his life. When his children were young, he was president of the parent council at their junior high, vice-president of the community association, and a minor basketball coach in Lake Bonavista for eighteen years. He volunteered in federal politics and encouraged his children to become active citizens. Bob served on boards of the Canadian Mental Health Association (Alberta Division and Calgary Region) from 2002 to 2012 in multiple roles including president. He has been a board member and legal advisor to Camp Cadicasu Association of Calgary since 2008. Bob completed the Directors Education Program at the Institute of Corporate Directors from 2012 – 2014. In addition to his volunteer work, Bob was passionate about lifelong learning which he activated through his hobbies. He enjoyed quiet time reading, listening to music and coding where his imagination could flourish. He earned his Private Pilot License through the Calgary Flying Club at Springbank Airport in 2003. Bob was a genuine mentor and wise father figure to many friends. His advice was always a bit out-of-the-box, but he loved to give it! He was fiercely proud of his children and grandchildren. To them Bob provided the powerful gifts of imagination and belief in themselves. Friends have asked, “What’s with you Schuetts? What makes you think you can do all these things?” It’s because for their entire lives, Bob told them they could. There was no such thing as a dream too big and no excuse not to try something new; no hesitation and never any doubt that success was ahead. Bob is survived by his wife Cheryl of fifty-two years; six children, Jennifer McDougall (Dick), Karen (Chris Graham), John (Lindsey Hodgson), Rebecca Kalmacoff (Ryan), Robbie (Lena), Megan Ragan (Aaron); ten grandchildren, Robyn, Blake, Abby, Burke, George, Katherine, Audrey, Oskar, Paula, Gabriel; sisters Margie Schuett and Kate Munoz (John Preston); uncle Bill Burke (Mary) and their family; sister-in-law Judy Lefebre (Harry) and their family; and close long-time friends, Brian Gancheff, Phil Bazant, Terry Crooks, Ken Trueman, Don Steer, Leon Efraim and Bill Enefer. He was predeceased by his parents George and Peggy Schuett, parents-in-law John and Lyda Knutson, and good friends Dave Beer, Michael Joe Healy and Ian MacDonald. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY () on Friday, September 7, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church () on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. A reception will follow at the church. Graveside service to follow at Mountain View Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to Camp Cadicasu Association of Calgary, 1251, 7620 Elbow Dr. SW Calgary, AB T2V 1K2 Telephone: (403) 851-8124, or to the Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary Region, Suite #400, 105 – 12th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 1A1 Telephone: (403) 297–1700, . Bob’s family extends sincere appreciation to the hardworking members of the Emergency and ICU departments at the Foothills Medical Centre. A special thank you to Dr. Daniel Heng who included Bob in his extensive kidney cancer study for the past seven years. In living memory of Bob Schuett, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road S.E., Calgary, AB, T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.