State Sen. Schuler dies at 66

COLUMBUS (AP) — Republican state Sen. Robert Schuler, a former city councilman who served in the Ohio Legislature for more than a decade, has died at 66.

Schuler died Friday night at his home in suburban Cincinnati after a long battle with cancer. His death was announced Saturday in statements from Gov. Ted Strickland and Senate President Bill Harris.

Schuler had served in the Ohio Senate since 2003 and was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1993 to 2000. He entered politics in the late 1970s as a member of the Deer Park City Council and also spent four years as a Sycamore Township trustee from 1988-92.

“His experience and common sense approach to the most complex of problems were invaluable to our caucus for the more than six years he served in the Senate,” Harris said. “Bob had strong opinions and was never shy about expressing them, but he was never one to grandstand.”

Tuesday’s Senate session was canceled so members and staff can attend Schuler’s funeral services.

Schuler represented the Senate’s 7th District, which includes all of Warren County and parts of Hamilton County. He was a past chairman of the Senate’s Energy and Public Utilities Committee.

Strickland said Schuler was a valuable partner in helping set Ohio’s new energy policy, which calls on utilities to generate more power from renewable resources, such as wind, solar and water.

Schuler is survived by his wife Shelagh, two children and five grandchildren.