Building Foundations Through Giving

Robert P. Schuh '50

Robert P. Schuh (B.Arch. Engineering ’50) is an accomplished man who has lived, and continues to live, a very full life!

Bob flew P-47 Thunderbolts in the Pacific during World War II. As a young entrepreneur, he became the co-founder and CEO of a large consulting engineering firm. Today he enjoys life as a husband, father, and a prolific oil painter.

At the age of 94, despite his many influential life experiences, he still regards the years he spent at Catholic University as deeply formative.

Bob fondly remembers his two roommates, Robert Murphy (who became a priest) and Joseph Walsh (who became an attorney). He reminisces on their many good times together and how they made a great team. Such camaraderie after serving in the war helped Bob “settle things down” and pointed him in the “right direction.”

Bob is especially grateful for the well-rounded education he received at Catholic University. He believes that having the opportunity to study engineering and architectural design alongside humanities electives, such as a course on Thomistic philosophy, laid “a strong foundation for both business and life.”

Giving back to the University that left such a positive mark on him has always been a priority. With more than 50 years of annual giving, Bob is regarded as one of the University’s most loyal donors. It was no surprise that, when asked to support students through the University’s Impact Scholarship program, Bob and his wife Molly were among the first to help.

Impact Scholarships provide an opportunity for alumni, parents, and friends to establish scholarships with an annual gift of $5,000 or more for four years. The scholarships are awarded to deserving students whose financial aid package falls short of their families’ financial resources by roughly $5,000 per year. For the vast majority of students in that category, such a commitment over their four years of study makes the hope of attending Catholic University a reality. Last year, for example, 48 students were able to attend the University with the help of Impact Scholarships!

Beginning this fall, Bob and Molly are generously sponsoring five Impact Scholarships. They look forward to learning more about their scholars and wish them the best in their bright futures.

Bob writes, “As one of several millions of Americans that contributed to our World War II war effort—and then was helped to earn an engineering degree at Catholic University through the G.I. Bill—I feel fortunate to be able to help a few others striving to build the foundation for a productive and happy life.”

Thank you, Bob and Molly, for your generous investment and for inspiring others to make a similar charitable investment.

Learn more ways you can make a difference by contacting Isabel de la Puente at delapuente@cua.edu or 202-319-6914.