E. G. "Bud" Shuster

E.G. Bud Shuster, 91, Everett, PA, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Farm after brief Hospice care.

Surviving are five children: Peggy Statler (Paul), Congressman Bill Shuster, Debbie Shuster King (Greg), Bob Shuster (Kelly), and Gia Dixon (Grove); twelve grandchildren: Bobby, Ali, Megan, Garrett, Emily, Greg, Will, Michael, Andrew, Jonathan, Daniel, and Jack; Three great grandchildren Julia, Liliana, and Paul; several nieces and nephews, his wife and cherished companion, Darlene Johnston. He is also survived by special people who provided him friendship, comfort and care through the years: Rebecca Harclerode Shuster, Karen College, Bill Clark, Ron Morse and his family, Shelly Rubino, Alan England, Scott Green and Leann Hertzog. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Patricia Rommel Shuster.

Bud was born on Jan. 23, 1932 in Glassport, PA, the son and only child of Grace and Prather Shuster. He married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Rommel, on August 27, 1955.

Bud graduated Magna Cum Laude from Glassport high school where he was an athlete and a musician. He won an academic scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh where he not only excelled academically and graduated Phi Beta Kappa but served as President of Sigma Chi, the Inter-fraternity Council, Cadet Colonel of the university's Army ROTC Regiment, won the Grand National Debate Championship, and was named the Outstanding Senior of the class of 1954. He later earned an MBA from Duquesne University, and a Ph.D. in Management from American University.

Following his U.S. Army service as an officer and counter-intelligence agent in 1956, he embarked on a career in the computer industry becoming President and CEO of Datel Corp., a computer terminal company, and a founder of a computer software company.

In 1972, Bud Shuster was elected to the United States Congress from the 9th Congressional District of Pennsylvania. His election was described by Time Magazine as "An unabashed tribute to American achievement…whose remarkable journey to the U. S. Congress is the stuff of the dream."  Bud was elected to congress 15 times and won both the Republican and Democratic nominations nine times, a feat never before or since accomplished in Pennsylvania history.

During his 28 years in congress, he was elected President of his 46 member GOP Freshman Class, was Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee and Chairman of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. And although known more widely for his transportation accomplishments, he served as the Ranking and senior member of the Select Intelligence Committee.

Bud received more than 130 awards for his congressional service and is the author of five books, including the award winning "Believing In America”.

Bud served for many years as a Trustee of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the University of Pittsburgh, and Saint Francis University where he also was an Adjunct Professor and Chapter Advisor to Sigma Chi fraternity. He received Sigma Chi's highest honor the "Order of Constantine."

Throughout his life, Bud was an avid runner, a fitness junkie, handball player, hunter, and an accomplished pianist having performed as a piano soloist with the Altoona Symphony. Of all his accomplishments, what Bud cherished most was his loving family and their time together at the Farm.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 29th at the First Christian Church, 57 Providence Street, Everett, PA , at 10:30 A.M. with Rev. Robert R. Robertson officiating.

Friends will be received on Thursday, April 27th from 4:30 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. and on Friday, April 28th from 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. at the Akers Funeral Home, Inc., 299 Raystown Road, Everett, PA 15537.

Interment will be held privately at the Shuster Family Circle 7 Farm cemetery with full military honors conducted by the Everett Area Honor Guard.

Memorial Contributions may be made in memory of Bud to the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, %Shuster Family Scholarship Fund, 216 Franklin Street, Suite 400, Johnstown, PA 15901 or online https://cfalleghenies.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1204

Online condolences may be expressed at www.akersfuneralhome.com

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