Robert "Bob" Schultz

Robert "Bob" Schultz passed away peacefully at his home at Cedarbrook Senior Living of Rochester, Michigan on February 20, 2026, following a brief illness.  He was 95 years old.

Bob was born on May 22, 1930, in Lansing, Michigan to Carl F. and Elizabeth H. Schultz.  He graduated from Sexton High School in Lansing, where he met the love of his life, Jean Parker, at a high school football game. They married in 1953 and began a life together grounded in devotion to family and community.  That same year, Bob enlisted in the Air Force, where he spent two years.

Bob earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1953 and later earned an MBA—both from Michigan State University, an institution he proudly supported throughout his life.  A loyal Spartan, MSU honored Bob with their "1987 Distinguished Alumni Award".  He rarely missed an opportunity to attend a sporting event in person and remained deeply connected to the Michigan State community throughout his life through his presence and philanthropic gifts.

A "car guy" through and through, Bob enjoyed every moment of his 37-year career with General Motors Corporation.  He began his career with GM at Oldsmobile in Lansing in 1955.  Over the decades, he rose through the ranks to positions of significant leadership, including  Chief Engineer roles at Buick and the GM Emissions Control Project Center; Executive VP and General Manager, Delco Electronics; VP and Group Executive, Chevrolet/Pontiac/GM of Canada;  President and Chief Executive Officer, GM Hughes Electronics; and Vice Chairman of General Motors Corporation. He was known for leading with quiet confidence, integrity, humility, and an unwavering sense of fairness—earning the respect of colleagues across the company.

After retiring from GM, he became a member of the board of OEA, Inc. and Chairman of Advanced Electronic Beams, Inc.  Bob was elected to the California Institute of Technology Board of Trustees in 1991 and to the National Academy of Engineering in 1992.

His professional accomplishments aside, Bob's greatest pride was always his family.  He reveled in his role as patriarch of a large and loving clan.  His favorite moments were spent on extended family vacations, at spirited family dinners, in a trout stream, on the golf course, or in deep, one-on-one conversations with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  His proudest achievement was seeing all ten of his grandchildren achieve their own dreams and grow into happy, accomplished adults.

Bob had a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors—especially in the Rocky Mountains, in the Arizona desert, or near a lake or river in Michigan. Over the years, he made homes in Lansing and other Michigan communities, as well as in Aspen, Colorado and Scottsdale, Arizona.  Wherever he lived, he brought warmth, curiosity, and an enthusiasm for life.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jean, in 1988, and by his brother, Roger Schultz (MSU '56).  He is survived by the two sets of twins he shared with Jean—Cynthia "Cindy" Schultz Cutler (Christopher) and Scott Schultz (Jamie Gagliano), and James "Jim" Schultz (Darcy) and Thomas "Tom" Schultz (Colleen); also, daughter-in-law Susan Lo Schultz; along with grandchildren Justin Cutler, Brett Cutler (Nguyen Le), and Kiersten Cutler (Brandon Mao); Jamay Shook (David) and Carly Pettit (Elliott); Nathan Schultz (Betsy) and Scott Schultz (Carly); and Caitlin Martin (Scott), Bridget Bittner (Blake), and Molly Shovan (Joe); as well as twelve cherished great-grandchildren: Carter, Graham, Vera, George, Henry, Murray, Rory, Dawson, Aspen, Draper, Tommy, and Jameson.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the extraordinary staff at Cedarbrook of Rochester Senior Living, Nickol S. of The Care Team Hospice, Dr. John Calado, and Dr. Ahmed Saleh for their exceptional skill, compassion, and kindness in helping to ensure that Bob's final years were filled with good health, joy, and the camaraderie of a close-knit community.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bob's honor to the Robert J. and Jean P. Schultz Biomedical Research Endowment Fund at the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University .

Please leave a memory or condolence on the online guestbook at www.wintfuneralhome.com