Robert "Bob" Schulte, Former Registrar of Voters, 65

From the Residents of the Town of Durham, CT Facebook page:

The Town of Durham is sad to announce the passing of former Registrar of Voters Robert R. Schulte, 65, of Durham, CT, beloved husband of Lucinda (Cindy) Schulte, on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011 at Middlesex Hospital. 

He was born in Montclair, NJ as the son of Herman J. and Helen (Hempen) Schulte. He worked in sales for many years at Stanley Tools and later was Director of Sales for Merillat Industries before retiring in 2000. In his retirement, Bob became “Captain Bob” and pursued his love of boating. In recent years, Captain Bob lived his dream as Lead Captain for the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat Company and served as a liaison between the company and U.S. Coast Guard. 

Besides his wife, he is survived by his four children; Adam Schulte of Medford, OR; Erica Schulte of Minneapolis, MN; Beth Puorro of Austin, TX; and Victoria (Puorro) Pancoast of Middletown, CT. In addition, he leaves his brothers, Frank Schulte and Joe Schulte, both of NJ; and his sister, Ann Schulte Steimle of Lumberland, NY. He was an amazing grandfather to his four grandchildren: Cole, Lara, Bennett and Sadie and they will always remember him as Opa.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent directly to Fellowship Church, 1002 Saybrook Road, Middletown, CT 06457, for the “Captain Bob Living Proof Memorial Fund.” This fund will benefit the teens at church, a cause that Captain Bob supported with his heart and soul. Please make checks out to Fellowship Church with “Captain Bob” in the memo line. 

The memorial service will be held at Fellowship Church on Saybrook Road in Middletown at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012.

Editor's Note: Bob Schulte was recognized in June during the Republican Town Committee's Annual Recognition Dinner for his contributions to the town. The following is a brief bio provided by the RTC:

Bob Schulte, his wife Cindy and their two children have been residents of Durham since 1981.  Their two girls were educated here.  Bob serves with "MAPS" Middlesex Area Patient Services which is a non-profit social services agency.  This non-profit works with, and for, people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, and offers assistance after insurance and state and federal programs end.  Bob has been a trustee of Fellowship Church in Middletown for over ten years and previously was the Chairman of the Board of Education of Fellowship Christian School.  He served Durham for five years as a Ham Radio Emergency Communications Volunteer and for the last three years has been Durham's Republican Registrar of Voters.