Robert Evan Schuppert (Rob) enjoyed life fully. He looked at each day as if it were a gift. He worked and played hard, he experienced true love, and he knew he was loved. On January 21, 1997, 24-year-old Rob died from a pulmonary embolism.

“Our children are our futures. To lose our son and his future was unbearable,” said his mother, Bobbie. “Literally minutes after Rob died, we were asked if we would consider organ and/or tissue donation. As a family, we said ‘yes.’” Unfortunately, the pulmonary embolism compromised organ donation, but Rob’s corneas and bone tissue were successfully recovered.

Rob’s donations contributed to new bone and tissue growth in many recipients over the years. “Rob made a difference in these people’s lives. He is still making a difference today and he will continue to make a difference for many years to come,” added Bobbie. “Will we meet these recipients? No, we don’t have that need. Knowing that something positive came out of his death is more than enough.

“In life we can choose to make a difference when our life ends. As a family, we made the right decision to donate – as a family we made the decision to make life a little better for someone else.”