Michael Richard Schuster

April 4, 1929 - September 14, 2026

Michael Richard Graham was born to Mary Lee Graham at the start of The Great Depression, and for

this reason, two-year-old Michael was placed in an orphanage in Hagerstown, Maryland. Shortly after,

he was adopted by loving parents, Charles Albert and Katherine E. Schuster.

Michael was raised in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and enjoyed sharing memories of the coal mines and

steel mills. He attended Catholic grade school, St. John Gaulbert, and later was a student at two different

high schools. At 17, he enlisted as a sailor with the US Navy, and after three years, decided to continue

his education while staying in the US Navy Reserve. Michael graduated from Veterans High School in

Johnstown and studied at the University of Pittsburgh. Realizing the impact of a bleak economic future,

he joined the United States Air Force with a specialty in communication and electronics.

For 24 years, Michael spent his Air Force career as an Airborne Radio Operator and reached the rank of

Chief Master Sergeant. While in the Air Force, Michael (Mike) was deployed to numerous sites and

persisted in continuing his education no matter where he was assigned. In 1976, he graduated from

Chaminade University of Honolulu prior to his Air Force retirement. After retirement, Mike focused on

his teaching credentials and began a secondary career as a teacher in Honolulu, Hawaii, and in a few

cities throughout California. Though he taught various subjects for a number of years in Sacramento and

San Diego, Mike spent the majority of his time teaching at Pescadero High School, where he became

Vice Principal before retiring.

Throughout his career, Mike received numerous accolades from both the military and teaching. As

noted in the June 1993 magazine publication, “View from the South Coast”, Mike was “selected three

times for a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities—to be offered one is a mark of

distinction and three is extremely unusual.”

Mike is also decorated with an extended family legacy. In the early 1950s, he married Dorothy Jean

Williams and had two daughters: Susan Lee and Janet Katherine, before being assigned a tour in Korea.

Afterwards, in 1957, he was deployed to Argentina, where he met his second wife, Catherine Maria O’

Grady, and had three sons: John, James, and Damien. In the mid-1960s, Mike was sent overseas, serving

first in Vietnam and subsequently in Thailand. While stationed in Hawaii, he met Angeles Pelegrin, his

third wife of 46 years. He became a stepfather to her four children: Gilbert, Angela, Monica, and Sergio.

Mike was deeply pensive, and though he often had a quiet disposition, he loved sharing stories of his

many adventures and encounters from around the world. He enjoyed the male-only, “board meeting”

breakfasts at the “Fox and Goose” British pub restaurant.

Mike doted on his wife, Angeles, whom he called “guapa”. Angeles was sure to fill his life with even

more escapades by participating in their children’s and grandchildren’s multitude of events, including

family trips to the beach, Hawaii, and Spain. Mike loved to read books, listen to music, and pore over

photos of his early life. He prized his dog, Brutus, and often treated him to “In & Out Burger”.

Undoubtedly, Mike’s favorite football team was the Pittsburgh Steelers. A true patriot, Mike was loyal

to his country and was given the nickname “Chief”. His words of wise counsel to family, friends,

students, and colleagues were resolute and profound.

Raised as a man of steel, he persevered to steal our hearts.

Chief Master Sergeant, we salute you as you journey safely home.

Final interment for cremated remains: Black Hills National Cemetery, South Dakota."