Dr. Edward L. 'Ted' Shuster

Dr. Edward L. 'Ted' Shuster , 45

Greenwich Dr. Edward L. 'Ted' Shuster , 45 , died suddenly Thursday, September 16, 2004 near his home after being struck by a motor vehicle while out for a walk.

Born in Troy, he was the son of Nancy Duffie Shuster of Troy and the late William W. Shuster.

He was raised in Melrose and had resided in Greenwich since 1993 and was educated at Hoosick Valley Central School class of 1977, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute class of 1981 and earned his Masters from Penn State and Doctorate from RPI.

Dr. Shuster was a Research Assistant Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy for over 20 years.

Ted will always be identified with RPI where he received his bachelor's degree and doctorate and where he taught in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences for the past decade. His research focused on surface water hydrology and contaminant geochemistry and includes significant contributions to the understanding of basin-scale hydrology, the transport and fate of contaminants in the Hudson, and the atmospheric deposition of mercury. Ted's enthusiasm for teaching was recognized throughout campus and he will be remembered by students for his great skill at explaining difficult concepts and drawing the connections that lead to true understanding. He had a passion for field work that only another geologist could appreciate, whether he was gauging the streams flowing into Lake George in March, collecting sediment cores in New York harbor, or leading the upper Hudson PCB field trip in a cold April drizzle. Perhaps most of all, Ted will be remembered as a fine person, respectful of students and colleagues and always generous with his time and talents. His laughter may be silenced, but his spirit lives on.

Theater was a large part of Ted's life. To list all of the shows and theaters he was involved with would take volumes. He was primarily involved with three local community groups. He was most proud of his directorial debut of Once on this Island and performance as Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz at Schuylerville Community Theater, Tito Morelli in Lend me a Tenor at Homemade Theater, and Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum at Glens Falls Community Theater. And most recently, the direction of the hugely successful GREENWICH THE MUSICAL at Greenwich Central School. He has touched many lives and will be sorely missed by the entire theater community.

Ted was a much beloved long-time member of the Silver Bay YMCA Association community. Starting in 1979 during his college years, he worked and volunteered in many capacities; program setup, houseman, painter, maintenance, pizza shop, driver, EIT supervisor, and Silver Spray Driver. He was always an active participant and supporter of the yearly Emp musical. His versatility and talent was demonstrated in his ability to easily assume either the position of lead, production director, consultant and/or stage and set design. He was a regular contributor of photographs, humor and enthusiasm to the Silver Bay community. Active in the Emp Alumni Fellowship of the Association, he served as the editor of the organization's newsletter, Empilog. He wrote and directed The Show of Shows performed for the Association's 100th Anniversary during the Emp Alumni Fellowship Reunion week in 2002.

His love, appreciation, and sensitivity for the natural world was captured in his outstanding photography. He also enjoyed hiking and was an Adirondack 46er.

Survivors in addition to his mother include a sister, Barbara (Benjamin) Huntington of Evergreen, CO; four brothers, Dale Allen (Julia) Shuster of Glendale, WI, William C. (Chris Degernes) Shuster of Seward, AK, Dr. Robert (Rebecca) Shuster of Omaha, NE and Charles John (Tracy) Shuster of Schaghticoke and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call at the New England Congregational Church 24 Circular Street Saratoga Springs on Saturday, October 2, 2004 from 3:30 - 4:30 PM and the memorial service will be held at 4:30 PM at the church with Rev. Jay Ekman, Pastor and Rev. Bruce Tamlyn, Chaplain of Silver Bay and Rev. Kate Kotfila, Pastor of Brunswick Church, officiating.

All are invited to a 'pot luck' supper, in memory of Ted, which will be held at the church Saturday following the service at 6:00 PM. Please bring your favorite main dish.

Interment Memory's Garden, in Colonie.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Dr. Edward L. Shuster to the Silver Bay Emps Alumni Scholarship Fund 87 Silver Bay Road Silver Bay, NY 12874.

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