Br. Robert J. Schurman, O.S.A. (1928 - 2019)

Robert John was born June 4, 1928 in Sauk Center, Minnesota to George and Elizabeth Schurman. He was Baptized June 5, 1928 at St. Paul Church, Sauk Center. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation November 10, 1940 at St. Elizabeth Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

After earning his diploma from Messmer High School, Milwaukee, in 1946, Robert joined the United States Navy. He was honorably discharged in 1948, and worked as a machinist and auto mechanic in Milwaukee.

He entered in 1953 the Augustinian program of formation for Brothers at Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate July 3, 1956. He professed simple (temporary) vows July 4, 1957 and solemn (permanent) vows July 4, 1960.

After professing first vows in 1957, Brother Schurman resided briefly at Mendel Monastery, Chicago, Illinois, then began a long career during which he was in charge of maintenance at several Augustinian institutions. These included Tolentine College, Olympia Fields, Illinois (1958-1961 and 1964-1975); Augustinian Academy, St. Louis, Missouri (1961-1964); Holy Rosary Parish, Kenosha, Wisconsin (1975-1979); St. Monica Monastery, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin (1979-1983), and St. Rita High School, Chicago (1983-1995).

In 1995, he retired at St. Monica Monastery, Chicago. Later that same year, he returned to Holy Rosary Parish, Kenosha, where he was retired but assisted with maintenance work, especially outdoors. In 2002, he relocated to St. Peter Parish, Douglas, Michigan. A year later, in 2003, he moved to Blessed Stephen Bellisini Community, Racine, Wisconsin. In both these locations, although he was retired, he continued to assist with maintenance work as needed.

Brother Schurman experienced medical problems in 2014. After a hospitalization, he was assigned to Bl. Stephen Bellesini Friary, Crown Point, Indiana, where his health care needs could be better met.