Donald Charles Schuessler, 91, of Rockville, Maryland, passed away at home on September 7, 2022.
Don was born to Oscar Paul and Ellnora Elizabeth (Weinel) Schuessler on May 19, 1931. He grew up on Long Island, riding his bike to Jones Beach, excelling in football, shot put and discus at Hempstead High School, and studying at Hofstra University where he again played football. An illness led to his needing to withdraw from Hofstra. After recovering, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines and served his country for three years.
While working at grocery stores, he studied at the University of Maryland where he received his undergraduate and master’s degrees in education, and many credit hours toward his doctorate. His teaching career began at Belt Junior High, continued at Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda where he taught driver education for 26 years, then Rock Terrace School and lastly a year of teaching special education at Forest Knolls School. At Walter Johnson, Don coached football, track and golf for many years. After his retirement as a teacher, Don ran a landscaping business and became a flea market seller extraordinaire. (Don could sell anything!)
So much in life brought Don joy! In addition to his family and vocation, camping and fishing, raising Irish Setters, playing bridge and doing crossword puzzles, coaching his kids’ sports teams, coin collecting, supporting his wife and helping at her schools, keeping his cars running, traveling and learning about new places in the world, exceptional vegetable and flower gardening, worshipping and serving at his church, rooting on his Washington sports teams, serving food and providing security at the Shepherd’s Table and sorting canned goods at the Manna Food Center, transforming abused or antique furnishings into lovely furniture, encouraging his kids and grandchildren to excel in life, going to the mountains or the ocean, leading his church’s ministry to help others donate household items and then running the rummage sales, giving rides to and visiting shut-ins, attending weekly Men’s Prayer Breakfast group, and savoring a glass of Merlot all brought a richness to his life ... enjoyed even more when he shared his experiences with family and friends.
Don is survived by his wife of 69 years, Isabelle Sweeny Schuessler, and their four children, Donald, Jr. (Glenda) of Gouverneur, NY; Janet McUlsky (Alexander) of Bethesda, MD; Douglas (Andrea) of Rockville, MD; and David (Petie) of Rockville, MD; 11 grandchildren (Elizabeth, Donald III (Devin), Katherine, Joseph, Douglas (Maxine), Mark (Catherine), Andrew, James, and Samuel Schuessler; Anastasia and Elizaveta McUlsky); four great grandchildren (Micah, Alaina, Isaiah, Sophia); brother- and sister-in-law Charles and Nancy Marshall; nephews James, Bruce (Kathy), Jonathan (Nancy), and Robert (Jane) Schuessler, Charles (Caroline) Marshall; and nieces Susan Harless, Sandy (Tim) Boone, Robin (Dennis) Lambert.
Don is preceded in death by his parents Oscar Paul and Ellnora; his brothers and their wives, Oscar Paul, Jr. (Luella) and Robert (Joyce); and his nephew James’ wife Susan.
A celebration of Don’s life will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, 11815 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, MD on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 11 a.m. with a luncheon reception. Those wishing to participate in the service virtually can find the livestream on https://www.youtube.com/stjamespotomac. Recorded video will be posted after the livestream.
In honor of Don, please grow flowers and share them with others. Memorial contributions may be made to one of the causes dear to his heart: Manna Food Center, Montgomery County Humane Society or the St. James Episcopal Church Garden Fund.