Gus Schill, Jr.

Gus August Schill, Jr. died on March 25, 2018 at his home in Kerrville, Texas. He was born on November 12, 1932 in Houston, Texas. His parents, Gus A. Schill and Beulah Ferguson Schill, and his sister, Carolyn Schill Rappazzo, predeceased him. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Kay Gorges Schill, and their children, Mary Martha Schill and Steven August Schill.\r\n \r\nGus graduated from Rice University in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and from the University of Texas Law School in 1958, where he was a member of Phi Delta Phi. During his 39 year law career in Houston, Gus specialized in Admiralty law at Royston, Rayzor, Vickery & Williams. He also taught Admiralty law as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas Law School and then at the University of Houston Law Center. He was awarded the Honorary Alumnus Award from the University of Houston and the A.A. White Outstanding Professors Award in 2000. He published many articles on admiralty topics and legal ethics and often spoke at legal seminars.\r\n \r\nGus was president of the Alumni Association of Rice University in 1972-73 and was awarded their Distinguished Alumni Award. He was a member of the Rice Board of Trustees from 1994 to 1998. He was also a member of the Board of the Friends of Fondren Library at Rice. In 2016 the Rice Alumni Assn. presented Gus their highest award, the Gold Medal for Service to Rice.\r\n \r\nIf you spent much time with Gus, you soon learned of his affection for and loyalty to Rice. After twenty-five years of summer vacations in Hunt, Texas, often featuring his signature peach preserves, he retired to Kerrville. He passed his Rice memories on to countless high school students as a volunteer representative of the Rice Admissions Department in the Texas Hill Country.\r\n \r\nIn Kerrville he was a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster children. He also became a member of Zion Lutheran Church and served on their Church Council.\r\n \r\nMemorial services will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, March 29, 2018 at Zion Lutheran Church officiated by Pastor Mike Williams.\r\n \r\nFor those desiring, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice or to the Gus A. Schill, Jr. Scholarship in History, Rice University, P.O. Box 1892, MS 81, Houston, Texas 77251-1892 or to the Zion Lutheran Church, 600 Barnett Street, Kerrville, Texas 78028.\r\n