Robert Randal "Robby" Schulz

Robert Randal (“Robby”) Schulz, beloved son, brother, student, and friend, was suddenly and tragically taken from us on August 26, 2020, when he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle. Robby was a sophomore at Kell High School. His principal, Dr. Peter Giles, described Robby as “a young man who was very bright, had a huge heart, and he could always find a way to make you smile and laugh.” Robby was born in Sandy Springs, Georgia on November 4, 2004, son of James Randolph Schulz and Alexandra Jean Ennever, and twin brother of Elizabeth Ann (“Lizzy”) Schulz, and brother of Nicholas Joseph Schulz and Derek James Schulz. Robby was baptized at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church and attended St. Anne’s Day School and Mt. Zion United Methodist Church pre-kindergarten before enrolling in Timber Ridge Elementary School. While at Timber Ridge, Robby joined Cub Scout Pack 795 and loved to go on camping trips to the state parks, make soapbox derby cars, and sell popcorn. He was in Troop 713 for Boy Scouts. Robby attended Hightower Trail Middle School. Hightower’s principal, Mrs. Laura Montgomery fondly remembered him, “Robby was such a special kid to me – one of the students I will always remember having had the opportunity with which to work. His sense of humor, his love for the world and other students always stood out above his other daily concerns. He was a gift to us all, helped us to grow as educators and will be missed. Know that he was loved here and he made us better people. I remember Robby his first year at Hightower. He would come to my office to share with me his favorite characters from his internet show. He was so animated when he spoke about the show. We could talk forever about each character and their special traits. He would also stop by to tell us all a joke. He always had a smile and a true fondness for others.” In 6th grade Robby had Mrs. Penny Chasko for math. She loved some of Robby’s sayings and his quick wit. In 7th grade he had Mrs. Jennings. She says, “It was pretty amazing getting to know Robby in 7th grade. Between science and math class we all knew how exceptionally bright he was but he was also making us laugh all the time. Somehow when I think of Robby, I think of ‘egg puns.’ He would seek out Ms. Thomas and me just to tell us his latest pun. I retired this year and I have a picture of him in my memory book! Robby lived life his way and I was glad I was a part of it.” Mrs. Andrea Cilluffo taught Robby during her first year as a teacher at Hightower , for science and Social Studies. “There was never a dull moment when Robby was in class. He made you laugh even when you didn’t want to. Robby was oblivious to the things that most middle schoolers care about, but he loved technology. To say that Robby was just Robby would be an understatement for he was much more than that. Robby taught me a lot in that year and the 2 years that followed. He taught me compassion and that it was okay to be different. He taught me to teach from the heart because words were just words and sometimes words just didn’t explain what the heart could. Robby made me a better teacher and a better human. I still have a letter Robby typed me at the end of that year because you couldn’t read his handwriting, it stated that I was his favorite because I cared. The best part was that he signed it in his handwriting. That letter is still on my fridge all these years later, where it will remain until I can take it down. Thank you for sharing Robby with me.” Another teacher recalls: “Thinking of Robby brings a smile to my face. He is a student I will always remember. I fondly remember his love of snack time. A juice box and a granola bar is still the best way to start math class. Robby was very creative and I remember his attention to detail when making his origami creations. Most of all, Robby's smile, quick wit and willingness to share a joke at any time, but especially at the time when you needed it most, is the legacy of Robby that I will always embrace.” Robby was the very first student that Mrs. Westerman saw during her first year as a School Counselor. She says, “He was one of kind and always made me smile so big when I saw him. Whenever Robby was having a hard time, Mrs. Stephens would bring him to me and we would practice bubble breathing together until he calmed down. He brought me so much joy and didn’t even know it. Robby also participated in my study skills class, I just loved seeing him each day because he would always greet me with a smile and leave me with a, ‘Have an EGG-cellent day Mrs. Westerman.’ During that class we had many laughs as we would share jokes together. When Robby moved into 8th grade I continued to work with him closely. I will never forget that one day, he said I was his best friend as we literally skipped down the hallway.” In 8th grade Robby had Mrs. Stephanie Stoltz for math. She remembers Robby “was such a funny kid. Although he liked to try to get away with not always doing his work, he was a bright student mathematically. I enjoyed teaching him and loved when he was confident with his answers. He liked to make the other students and his teacher laugh. I always wanted the best for him.” The teacher who spent the most time with Robby at Hightower was Dr. Tabitha Owens. “Robby was a student in my sixth grade class and then later in my eighth grade English class. Robby made it perfectly clear English wasn’t his favorite subject. He just wasn’t a fan of writing, but Robby always had something only he could contribute to our class. His smile and humor brought much joy to the class and made up for his strong dislike of writing. ‘Dr. Owens, I can’t write my real thoughts down! If I do, someone might steal my genius ideas!’ How could I argue with that? Robby was an original, one in a million! More times than not he had me wondering who was the teacher and who was the student. Robby taught me quite a bit about perspective, and these lessons I’ll never forget. To say I’m grateful to have known Robby is greatly understated. Rest In Peace, little genius. You will never be forgotten!” After Robby finished Hightower, we selected Kell High School for him because of one teacher, Mrs. Margaret Griffin, who has a unique ability to bring out the best in students like Robby. She worked with Robby every day during the school year and over the summer. “As a teacher, all of your students hold a special place in your heart, every now and then, there are students who steal your heart. Robby was that student for me. He was bright, full of humor and mischief but most importantly, he had a beautiful spirit. Robby consistently made my day because he always found a way to make me laugh and smile. I will miss my boy.” Ms. Margo Baker, Robby’s reading teacher at Kell, remembered him, “Robby absolutely lit up the classroom. He was a keen reader, full of enthusiasm and curiosity. His brightness will be deeply missed.” While at Kell, Robby enjoyed attending the Dungeons & Dragons club. Mr. Douglas LaVigne, the faculty sponsor of the club, remembered Robby: “Robby was the most enthusiastic and energetic member of our Dungeons & Dragons club. Robby came in each meeting ready to play and was always digging through his books to find just the right combination of rules when seeking out adventure. Robby was a kind soul and I will fondly remember his eruptions of delight when he cast just the right spell to save the day.” Robby was also loved at Hillside. His therapist, Kate O’Lone, provides this drawing of Robby by one of his peers. (Picture on Tribute Wall) Kate remembers Robby as “so full of personality, energy and utterly unique. I'll never forget how he introduced himself with his full name, every day during group check in. I'll never forget him asking peers to ‘rendezvous at the big chicken’. I'll never forget when he dabbed so energeticly he knocked my phone right out of my hand. I'll never forget when I told the milieu to ‘get their wiggles out’ and Robby got on the ground and wiggled like a worm. He was himself every day and that was the most enjoyable thing about being around him. He left a My Little Pony stamp on my heart.” Robby is survived by his parents, Jim and Alex Schulz, his brothers, Nick and Derek Schulz, their spouses, Lauren Rustowicz and Masako Otsuki, and his twin sister, Lizzy Schulz and his grandmothers Patricia Ennever and Margaret McFarlan Schulz and many aunts, uncles and cousins. A memorial service will be held at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home on the Square in Marietta at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2020 with the Rev. Robert Certain officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. During the current pandemic and for the safety of the family, we ask that all visitors wear masks and keep their visits brief while not mingling with other visitors. The team at the funeral home will be there to direct all guests as they arrive. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to Team Robby, Hillside or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Team Robby was set up by Robby’s older brother Nick in his memory. Team Robby's goal is to raise money for autism research and to provide a scholarship for an autistic student to attend college. Please follow the link below to see more details and make a donation. https://support.researchautism.org/VirtualRaces/teamrobby

Robert Randal "Robby" Schulz

November 4, 2004 - August 26, 2020