He died at home surrounded by his family. He was 66.
“Bob was a dear friend, a true public servant and a very good man,” said Ohio Senate President Bill Harris, R-Ashland.
Schuler, R-Sycamore Twp., Hamilton County, had represented the Senate’s 7th District since 2003.
He was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1993 to 2000.
“His experience and common sense approach to the most complex of problems were invaluable to our caucus for the more than six years he served in the Senate,” Harris said. “Bob had strong opinions and was never shy about expressing them, but he was never one to grandstand. His constituents benefited from his effectiveness.”
Harris plans to cancel Tuesday’s session to allow members and staff to attend funeral services.
Tom Grossman, the mayor of Mason and the head of the Warren County Republican Party, said one of Schuler’s standout qualities was how approachable he was.
“I’ve never seen somebody who was always available and always around. His legacy is that he led the Republicans well, and he helped bring unity to the party. Some people are mavericks, and he wasn’t that way, but he always stood up for what he believed in,” Grossman said.
Warren County Commissioner Pat South said Schuler was “the most genuine person. He was always very down to earth. He talked the talk and he walked the walk. He was a genuine friend to Southwest Ohio.”
Ohio Sen. Jon Husted, R-Kettering, worked during the last General Assembly with Schuler on legislation to develop a comprehensive energy policy for the state.
Schuler, then-chairman of the Senate Energy & Public Utilities Committee, sponsored the bill that passed last session.
“I got the chance to know him and he did some quality work on that piece of legislation,” said Husted, who at the time was speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. “We have a new energy law in the state of Ohio that came on his energy bill last year.”
Husted praised Schuler as a good man. “People on both sides of the aisle appreciated his kindness and good nature,” Husted said. “He will be very missed.”
Gov. Ted Strickland called Schuler a committed advocate for the people of Southwest Ohio.
“Sen. Schuler was a sincere, kind man,” Strickland said. “He reached across the aisle, always valuing progress over politics.”
Strickland also noted Schuler’s role in Ohio’s energy legislation. “I deeply appreciated his thoughtful foresight on the importance of this bill for the future progress of Ohio,” Strickland said.
In the Senate, Schuler also served as chairman of the Senate Reference Committee and as a member of the Senate Rules Committee and the Senate Ways & Means & Economic Development Committee.
He is survived by his wife Shelagh, two children and five grandchildren.
Calling hours are Monday, June 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Thomas-Justin Memorial Funeral Home, 7500 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati.
The funeral Mass will be 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 7754 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, with a service at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Cincinnati immediately following.
Staff Writer Eric Robinette
contributed to this story.
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