Louis Howard Schuster, II

Louis Howard Schuster, II (Lou) had a passion for learning and public purpose. He was an inspirational leader, international business strategist, entrepreneur, and community advocate. Lou peacefully passed away, August 19, 2026, in Point Richmond, California, surrounded by family, and left behind a profound legacy of service, empowerment, and meaningful impact on all who were blessed to know him.

Lou Schuster was born in Richmond, Virginia on July 20, 1950, to loving parents, Dr. Louis Howard Schuster, Sr. and Mrs. Corinne Perryman Schuster. The Schuster family moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1958, where Dr. and Mrs. Schuster became pillars of the African American community. Lou’s ancestry also included the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma and lineage to family in St. Croix, U. S. Virgin Islands. The Schusters were staunch members of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Although Lou’s incredible career led him to become a citizen of the world, including living with his parents and sister, Karen, in Lagos, Nigeria, he would always call Nashville home.

During his early years in Nashville, Lou attended St. Vincent de Paul School and later Pearl High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from The Ohio State University before going on to receive his Master’s degree in Business Administration from New York’s Adelphi University. During his academic journey, Lou became a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

Throughout his distinguished career, Lou seamlessly combined sharp business acumen with an unwavering commitment to uplifting underrepresented and underserved communities. His career took him around the world, providing a myriad of incredible life experiences. However, his most cherished life experience was the birth of son Evan Busby Schuster. He said that his proudest moment was attending Evan’s May 2026 graduation from the Detroit Police Academy. Evan was always Lou’s pride and joy!

A leader of immense heart and vision, Lou Schuster dedicated decades of his life to advancing career pathways and educational equity. He spent 21 stellar years at Xerox Corporation. Lou’s leadership of domestic and international marketing initiatives, as well as delivery of complex projects with precision, led to his becoming Worldwide Marketing Manager. In that position, he oversaw and launched an integrated marketing strategy for Xerox’s expansion in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Lou’s expertise and mentorship were often sought by those aspiring to executive leadership.

As an entrepreneur, Lou’s career success led to his co-founding Schuster Solutions, LLC. As chief marketing and performance management strategist, Lou guided businesses in overcoming organizational challenges and thereby assisted them in attaining sustainable growth. Prior to Schuster Solutions, Lou brought this same commitment from business to education. His work with SkyLearn fostered innovative technology solutions designed to turn around underperforming urban K-12 students.

In addition to his corporate and educational management accomplishments, Lou was a deeply engaged community leader in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he lived for over fifteen years. He gave of his time and expertise generously, serving as Vice President of the Board for the Bay Area Girls Club, Head of the Political Action Committee for the California Black Parent Coalition, and as a Board Member for Living Jazz in Oakland. In all his endeavors Lou had an extraordinary gift for bringing diverse groups of people together, which allowed him to turn seemingly intractable problems into collaborative solutions with his trademark warmth, optimism, and positive spirit.

Above all, Lou was known by his family, friends, and colleagues as a loving father, brother, and uncle, a compassionate mentor, an avid jazz enthusiast, and for his great sense of humor. He was a man whose presence enriched the many lives he touched. His legacy endures through his family and in the thousands of lives he transformed and guided.

Lou will be greatly missed and his memory will be cherished by his son, Evan Busby Schuster; sister, Karen Schuster Webb; niece, Ramona Webb-Williams (Shawnda); and grandniece, Osean Roze Corinne Williams; nephew, Wallace H. Webb, III; numerous cousins, especially among them Hugh B. Price (Marilyn) and family; Bebe Drew Price (the late Kline A. Price, Jr.) and family, as well as cousins in St. Croix, U. S. Virgin Islands and their families. Lou is also lovingly remembered by many dear friends.