Ronald Aubrey Schuler

RON SCHULER
Ron Schuler, the eldest son of Aubrey and Elizabeth Schuler, passed away on September 13th. Ron was brother to Les Schuler and Meredy Weldin. Born December 21 8\ 193 7, during the Great Depression, he was raised on a farm and learned the value of frugality and hard work and developed his love for agriculture which lasted the rest of his life ..
He graduated from Central Gather Grammar School and was a "Honker" from Yuba City High School. Growing up on the farm, he became involved with 4-H and Future Farmers of America which developed his skill of leadership as he became both Chapter President and State Champion in Parliamentary Procedure. He then went on to become a delegate to FF A National Convention in 1954 and was, later in life, to serve on the FF A Board for over 10 years supporting their programs for encouraging young people to become involved in agriculture.
Ron graduated from the University of California at Davis where he was Student Body Vice President and a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. Ron would continue to be connected to the University throughout his life. He held the position of Past Chairman of the UCO College of Agriculture & Environmental Science Dean's Advisory Committee, 12 years on the UCDavis Foundation Board, Award of Distinction from the College of Agriculture@UCDavis
and Past Chairman of the UCDavis Chancellor's Club. In appreciation of his efforts, the University acknowledged his work by giving him the Award of Distinction from the CA&ES, National Agricultural Alumni Development Association Award for Services to UCDavis and the UCDavis Jerry Fielder Outstanding Alumni Award for which he was extremely honored.
After a stint in the US Army as a training officer at Ford Ord, Ron was to marry Laurie Kirkman in 1962 who was also a graduate ofUCDavis. They were to raise three children: Chelane, Rett, wife Ellen, and Ronnell in Walnut Creek, California and then came four grandchildren: Samantha, Jake, Matthew, and Mikey.
He began his career with F &P Canning Company. The merging of canneries put him working with fruits and vegetables with California Canners and Growers. After twelve years, he was chosen to become President and CEO of California Canning Cling Peach Association where he remained from 1973 - 2002. Within this job, he was selected as Chairman of Agricultural Council of California, Past Chairman of the Board ,of the National council of Farmer Cooperatives, Past Director of the Canned Fruit Promotion Services, served two terms on the USDA National Advisory Council for Commodity.Distribution and Director on Co-Bank's Board from 2000-2006.
Along with this, he spent time in Washington D.C lobbying for school lunch programs to buy California peaches, attending world wide conferences with peach growers from around the world and working hard to get a fair and decent price for the growers he represented.
Upon retirement, he stepped in to manage the California Tomato Growers Association for an interim period negotiating their price for 2004 and hiring a new manager. Following this position, he became a board member of CalW est Seeds in Woodland and helped in the sale of this organization. He became a board advisor to the Johl Company and really stepped in to help advise as they branched out seriously into the walnut business. For social business, he was a member of Foodsters and Sun Valley Gang ... .industry related organizations.
As involved as he was in work, he could still be seen tearing off his tie and rushing to coach or watch his children in their sports and theater productions. He also became involved in the direction of the school district and managed the election of a member of the school board.
For over thirty years, he became involved in the California State Fair on the Ag Advisory Committee as well as supporting other activities such as Sale of Champions and the Agricultural
Exposition of plants, animals, and machinery. For his enduring efforts, he was recognized in 2008 as "Agriculturalist of the Year" which was an honor he treasured deeply.
He never was so busy that he couldn't include a fun game of tennis and golf in his "spare time". He also took up the game of bridge and he and Laurie played bridge with many good friends over
the years. A game of poker from time to time never hurt either .... even when he was falling asleep!
Some years ago, he and Laurie purchased a condo at Lake Tahoe where he pursued his love of golf and skiing. He continued to ski until he was 79. He and Laurie did some cross country skiing and snowshoeing as well. Whatever the weather, there was something to do.
There just wasn't enough time left for him in his life .... he had miles to go .... but he certainly
made the most of everyday he was giv n. Surviving Ron is his wife, Laurie, daughters Chelane and Ronnell, son Rett, daughter-in-law Ellen, his brother's wife Linda and her son Brent, his sister Meredy and her husband Ken as well as their daughter Kendra. Grandsons , granddaughter along with nephews and niece were very proud of Ron and him of them. Grandchildren were the icing on the "cake of life". How much he enjoyed doing activities or games with them or watching them in their sports. Pictures of them abound in his office!
He would like to continue his interest in agriculture for young people by providing an endowment scholarship to be given each year to students seeking study in that field. If you would like to make a contribution in his memory, here is where to send it:
Mail to: UC Davis Foundation
Schuler Scholarship Endowment ( on the memo line)
Leslianne Foster
CA&ES Dean's Office
UC Davis
One Shields Ave.
Davis, CA 95616
P.S. Ron is so proud that his oldest grandson will be attending UCDavis this year ..... third
generation!