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Gabon RPCV Richard H. Schuster dies at 67
Gabon RPCV Richard H. Schuster dies at 67
Architect rebuilt African villages
BY ERIKA PESANTES
epesantes@herald.com
Richard H. Schuster, a longtime Coral Gables architect, died of a heart attack Tuesday while driving to the firm he joined 30 years ago. He was 67.
Schuster, of Ferguson Glasgow Schuster Soto Inc., was working on design projects for the University of Miami, his alma mater.
Born in Cleveland, he began college at Kent State University in the mid-1950s, but received his bachelor's degree in architecture from UM. Meanwhile, he spent eight years on the U.S. Naval Reserve.
Before obtaining his degree from UM, Schuster joined the Peace Corps and worked in Gabon, on the west coast of Africa, for four years.
He helped rebuild villages there, his sister Ruth Ann Akers said.
''He cared about people and wanted to help. He's done that all his life,'' she said.
Architectural firm partner Nati Soto credits Schuster with revitalizing the ''Mediterranean movement'' in Coral Gables. He designed the Bank of Coral Gables in the 1980s, which replaced a historical building beyond repair, Soto said.
Among his other designs were the Ryder headquarters, Port of Miami Terminal 6/7 and Coconut Grove's E. Virrick Park community center.
Schuster, who led the firm's design team, was a member of the Coral Gables Estates Architectural Review Board for more than 10 years. He was also part of the city's construction regulation board.
In 1997, Schuster received an American Institute of Architects Hall of Fame award.
In addition to his love of design, he also enjoyed doodling cartoons and caricatures.
Soto recently found a caricature Schuster had drawn of the pair. ''It's really hysterical. He used to capture the funniest parts of people,'' she said, noting he always carried two or three pens for his sketches in his front pocket.
Schuster even went to Marvel Comics before turning to architecture, his sister said.
Schuster also loved to cook-- and his cheesecake was one of his most requested dishes, his grandson David Ramsingh said.
''He was my grandpa...but he was my dad,'' he said.
In addition to his grandson and sister, Schuster is survived by daughter Joan Ramsingh.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Stanfill Funeral Home, 10545 S. Dixie Hwy. The service will be held at 5 p.m.