[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 154 (Tuesday, December 4, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1872]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE PASSING OF MR. LOWELL O. SCHUSTER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2012

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I come before the House with a heavy 
heart to express my condolences and pay tribute to Mr. Lowell O. 
Schuster a beloved Virgin Islander, loving husband, devoted father, 
veteran, teacher, businessman, community leader and very dear friend.
  Lowell Schuster was born in Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin 
Islands, on November 12, 1928 to Mr. Eugene and Mrs. Enid Schuster of 
Christiansted, St. Croix. Mr. Schuster attended St. Mary's Catholic 
School and The Christiansted High School. After graduation from high 
school, he enrolled at Howard University in Washington, DC, where he 
received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. While attending 
Howard University he entered the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. 
Following his graduation from Howard University, he entered the United 
States Army as an officer with the rank of Second Lieutenant.
  Mr. Schuster had a distinguished military career. He was stationed in 
Germany where he bravely served during the Cold War. On May 9, 1955, he 
was promoted to First Lieutenant of the United States Army and was 
granted Top Security clearance. He became Infantry Unit Commander and 
led the troops on daily patrols along the West Germany-East Germany 
border. On November 26, 1958, Mr. Schuster was granted an Honorable 
Discharge. In recognition of his military service, he received the 
National Defense Service Medal. Mr. Schuster continued his service to 
our Nation by entering the Army Reserves where he was promoted to 
Captain. He also became active with the U.S. Virgin Islands National 
Guard. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army Reserves 
on February 10, 1969.
  During his tenure in the Reserves, Mr. Schuster began his second 
career as a teacher at the Christiansted High School. He again 
distinguished himself as an educator and within a short period of time 
was promoted to Assistant Principal and later became Acting Principal. 
After his father became ill, he resigned from his position to enter the 
world of business, taking over the operations of Schuster's Services, 
the largest fully integrated water company in the Virgin Islands. He 
further expanded the business to include the bottling of water and 
named it Blue Mountain Water, now Blue Mountain Purified Water, LLC.
  These water companies were Mr. Schuster's pride and joy. He looked 
forward to going to the office every morning, working tirelessly, and 
returning home to his family. Blue Mountain Purified Water, LLC remains 
the first bottled water company in the Virgin Islands and the largest 
of its kind on St. Croix. Schuster's Services is one of the oldest 
businesses in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  Of all of his accomplishments, his greatest was being a devoted 
husband and father. Mr. Schuster married the love of his life and high 
school sweetheart, Rita M. de Chabert, after entering the armed 
services. They started their family while he was stationed in Germany. 
Mr. Schuster and his wife were married for 58 years and raised 4 
children--Gregory, Janine, Kenneth and Troy. They are the proud 
grandparents of three grandchildren.
  On behalf of my family, staff and the Congress of the United States, 
I extend our sincere condolences and want the family to know that our 
thoughts and prayers are with them as we mourn the passing of a great 
man. We cannot replace Lowell but we will attempt to improve our lives 
and live our lives as demonstrated by his great example.

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