Rina and Stephanie we are so sad for your loss. He was one of my closest friends and one of the reasons I wanted to move to Houston. He was so easy to get along with as all of these letters can attest to. He was also so generous with everything he did and always cared about others. There's not going to be a day that goes by where we won't miss him. I'm so thankful for the time I got to spend with him.

I am so saddened to hear of your tremendous loss. Sending my deepest condolences and sympathy to all who knew Stephen. I met him at David & Lynette’s wedding and he was so kind & friendly. He’s gone far too soon. Fly high, Stephen and rest easy. 🕊️

Short story, I first knew kuya Stephen when he was introduced to me by ate Rin2x via facebook messenger sometime early 2018, mix of emotions at first. There was a bit of apprehension so to speak. Until came mid 2018 when he was formally introduced to the family when they both flew from Texas to the Philippines. He was this atypical American (in a good way), easy to be with, always game for everything, animal-lover, who loved-my-cousin type of guy. He has this naturally distinctive personality  that stands out without deliberate manipulation, in short he is one of a kind. Apprehension later was replaced with acceptance. He was wholeheartedly accepted and loved by my family. From then on, I knew that he was heaven-sent, “he was the one”,  the knight and shining armor for ate Rin2x, best loveteam ever! Seeing them happy together makes me “kilig” all the time especially with the lovely Stephy. Fast forward and the rest was history. 

Kuya Stephen, though everything has a reason, reasons I still can’t comprehend. Our love and admiration for you will remain always in our hearts. We are grateful to have shared and experienced your good spirit in this lifetime. I hope and pray that you are well up there in the heavens with our Father. Please watch over ate Rin2x and Stephy, comfort them  with your loving arms, guide and protect them always. My condolences as well to kuya Stephen’s family and loved ones.

Gone but not forgotten, rest easy Kuya Stephen! 🕊️

My dearest Rina. I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your precious daughter, Stephanie. May God bring you comfort and peace as you mourn the loss of your beloved husband. Stephen.  Your husband was a remarkable man and was loved by many. May his soul rest in eternal peace. 

Blessings always, 
Annie Gaviola Hernandez

Rina, on behalf of my family, I extend our heartfelt sympathies for the loss of your husband. May the Lord wrap his arms around you and your daughter Stephanie, offering comfort and peace during this difficult time. We will be praying for you all, that you may find solace in your memories and strength in the love that surrounds you.  Hugs and Love, Anna Lisa, Joselito, Noel, Alizay, and Mikaella - Your family in Florida

We were deeply saddened by this tragic news. We want to offer our deepest sympathies and prayers for the family. We have lived next door for a year and found Stephen to be very kind and welcoming.  We were so taken by how great they looked this past Halloween in their costumes and wanted to share this photo as a memory. May God comfort the family and bless Stephen’s soul. 
—Gail and Charles

Sending deepest sympathy to his mom and his family. May they find comfort in their happy memories. May he rest in peace ❤️
Sincerely, Edie Sharp

We were so sad to hear of Stephen's passing.  He left us way too soon.  All of us in the Amborn family met Stephen (along with Rina and Stephanie) at David and Lynette's wedding in 2022.  We were hoping to see him again when we next visited Texas.  What a lovely and gracious person he was.  

We shared interests in IT and finding planets in the night sky.  In fact, during the carriage ride, a group of us stood on the sidewalk and tried using our phone apps to view the planets.

I'm glad we had the time with Stephen that we did.  He will always be a part of the family.

Analyn K. (Amborn) Walchak

Our condolences and prayers to you my dear sister friend Rinrin, to Stephy and to the entire Schuler Family. ❤️ virtual hugs sis...

Words are not enough to express words of comfort to ease the pain and longing but we believe that by God's blessings and grace the healing be upon you all. 🙏 

Be blessed by the gifts of faith and hope in the Lord. 🙏

I haven't met Stephen but I know he was a great husband and father, a wonderful person. 

Eternal rest grant unto Stephen James Schuler O Lord and let Your perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen 🙏

Stephen supported our small  flower delivery business  on Valentine's day. Always supportive, involved in social activities and just a big loss to the community

Stephanie's 3rd under the sea birthday at Rina and Stephen's home

Photo taken on May 26, 2023, at Cebu International Airport during their arrival for a family vacation in the Philippines. Our family will miss you.♥️

Still in shock, but I'll always pray that you find peace in your heart. This photo will never be the same again, but the memories we've shared will always live on. Thank you for sharing your life with us. We love you, Stephen.🤍🕊️

Dear Stephen, even though we're far apart, I want you to know how much you're appreciated. We love you and treasure the memories we shared. You were an amazing person, a loving husband to my cousin, and a wonderful daddy to Stephanie. I'll miss our conversations about US politics and life – Thank you for everything. I'll miss you. Fly high, my friend, and may you find peace. Until we meet again. 🕊️

Stephen is a great man. I remember this picture last October 2024 . We really had fun enjoying families company.  We remember how passionate he is in everything he do.  Stephen,  you've been a great husband , a father and a friend. We will truly miss you our dear friend. Rest easy our friend.

I remember when my daughter was stranded overnight in a Texas airport and Stephen and rini were ready to go and get our adult daughter at the time so she wouldn't be by herself. This is something we will never forget as we continue to pray for his family and friends. 

Marc & Yasuko Kedjora

I will never forget Stephens kindness towards me personally, we see each other one or twice a year but he never failed to show how kind he is, he even created and account for me for one of his "plex" subscriptions, goes to show how kind of a friend he is. I will always remember him as one of my very few quality friends in this world and his passion (same as me) with pop cultures whether it be gaming, movies and even animes, I will forever miss our conversations. Staying in Texas will never be the same without Stephen. Thank you for being a great friend and for the short memories that we shared Stephen.

Stephen,

You were one of my first friends when I moved to Houston in 2017 while I was looking for a fresh start out of Delaware. We met at HCC and got our Associates Degree in Cyber Security together. We both ended up getting a job referral to IBM from the same professor. Together we both grew in our careers, got married, bought the same car after our big raise, bought our first house and grew our families. I am truly blessed we shared the same journey brother. I will miss how passionate you were in anything you talked about. How you were always kind and put others before yourself. I will miss you. Rest in peace my friend.

Our deepest condolences to you and family Rina. Although me and Manny havent known Stephen as much as we know you, we can see how responsible he is and how he is doing his best for you and Stephy. We will continuously pray for you and the family during this trying times.

Stephen,  when you visited New York, I knew right away that my niece Rin was in good hands. You were friendly, respectful, talkative, and, most of all, incredibly caring toward her. It was clear why you quickly earned the love and approval of your New York family. I pray that you find peace in heaven. Rest assured, I will be here to guide and support Rin as she raises Stephanie.

Rin and Stephanie, I have no words to fully express the sorrow I feel for the tragedy that has touched your lives. Now, as a single mother, Rin, I encourage you to pour your love and strength into raising your daughter. Know that you are not alone—I will always be here to guide and support you in any way I can. See you soon!

You got along immediately with your NY family!

Nov 2019 when you visited NY which happened to be my Dad’s birthday!

Even though we have known each other less than one year. I am extremely saddened over your departure as even within this short time your amazing personality and energy made me gain a new friend/brother whom I could turn to for advice let that be games, family, travel or life in general. 

Rest in Peace Stephen. We will miss you!
Akos and Aple

One of the most unforgettable moment in my life is witnessing my bestfriend married the love of her life. Thank you Stephen for making my bestfriend happy and loving her with all your heart. Rest in peace Stephen and will be praying for you. Please watch over my bestfriend Rina and baby Stephy.

Stephen i cant process everything thats happening right now, how is it that we cannot see u anymore..  you being gone too soon, its too hearbreaking  …  i just saw you last sunday smiling so brightly … thank you  for all the memories , for being the best and thoughtful neighbor,  being a great supportive friend.. our  lead prayer  before meals in our  gathering and our game master .. we witnessed how u are as a very loving husband to rina and the best dad for stephy .. u have a very beautiful family .. we will always be here for rina and stephy.. me julius juliene and joshua.. rest in peace my friend, this is gonna be a very long process for us but your memories will always be with us..

Stephen, Rina and Stephanie with David and Lynette - December 2024

Dinner together with all the Schulers April 2022 - Mei Ling, Gregg and their triplets, David and Lynette, Stephen, Rina, and Stephanie

Kuya Stephen was one of the kindest people I have ever met in my life. Around 6-7 years ago, we first knew him as the “pang-forever” boyfriend of my beloved cousin, Ate Rinrin. He was kind, charismatic, and charming, with eyes that exuded a “Bridgerton-esque look of love” whenever he was with my cousin. This was very much evident during his first trip in the Philippines back in 2018, wherein he went with us back home to the province in Leyte. During his stay there, he was warm and friendly, greeting the locals, sharing his blessings, and integrated himself as a member of a community that is unfamiliar yet comforting for him. Whenever we were with him, we will never go home empty handed because he willingly shares what he has to those around him. I even remember one rainy night where he insisted on booking us (me and Kuya Daniel) a taxi because he doesn’t want us getting wet and sick from the rain. He truly and deeply loved Ate Rinrin with all his heart and it is truly heartbreaking to know the news that he is gone forever. Kuya Stephen, wherever you are right now, I just want to say, Thank You! for the wonderful moments we shared together as family. Thank you for including us in your escapades together with Ate Rinrin every summer break. It truly made my vacations memorable and worthwhile knowing that I am spending it with people who care, like you and Ate. I will forever treasure the moments and conversations we had during your visits and I pray for your peaceful passage to heaven. Please do guide Ate Rinrin and Little Stephy on their future endeavors in life. Expressing my heartfelt condolences and sympathy in this time of mourning is never easy, but I know there will always be a rainbow after the rain. Farewell, Kuya Stephen, and I am eternally grateful to have known you in my life. Salamat kaayo!

Sincerely,
- Jacob 🩵

Stephen was always the one leading the prayer. This was a memorable surf and turf dinner he prepared.

Stephen,

You’re gone too soon, it’s unbelievable. I hope you have your Legos and your ghostbuster costume wherever you are. 

Thank you for the memories that I will cherish forever — your words of wisdom especially your love life advices 😄, fun cerebral games, techy takes, extensive movie knowledge… your mind surely had a lot of bandwidth. But most of all, thank you for welcoming me into your and Rina’s home and making me feel like family. 

May you rest in peace now in your final home.

Tina

Schuler, 

Man it's hard to believe your gone sir, Watched you grow your knowledge at IBM to become a knowledgeable  system administrator while debating the finer things in life like what popcorn seasoning was the better option on what days. Fly high man you'll definitely be missed.

Stephen, we  surely goin  to miss you. He  was  the  game master, the iconic guy  who  will  dress up  and match up with  rina  and  baby stephy… your  smiles   Your laughter would  forever  echoe in our hearts.  A loving  husband , best dad  for  stephanie and a loyal  and kind  friend .
Stephen… may  you  find the path of  light and  let perpetual light  shine  upon  you.Rest in peace .

It’s so hard to believe you’re gone Stephen. I am still in shocked about your sudden demise. I will miss your sweet smile, boisterous laughter, your funny jokes and super interesting stories. You were  so full of life when you talk to us  about any topic in the sun. Thank you for being so kind, thoughtful and generous to me everytime you visit the Philippines. I always admired you for being wonderful loving husband to Rina and super doting hands on dad to Stephanie. My deepest condolences and sympathies to Rina, Baby Stephy and to the whole Schuler family. May perpetual light shine upon Stephen and may his soul rest in peace!

My last breakfast meal with The Schuler family before my flight going home

My heartfelt condolences to Stephen’s family; wife Rina Clair, daughter Stephanie and to his extended family in Texas, the US and the Philippines. 

We have never met but the stories of his time in the Philippines during his visit and marriage are legendary. The pictures I saw were very endearing.  He was a man in love and one with everyone.

May you rest in peace Stephen and may you and God watch over your loved ones left behind.

Schuler, I still can’t believe you’re gone man. It doesn’t feel real. I keep thinking about those early days at IBM, how we were both just figuring it out, and how easy it was to connect with you. You were smart, thoughtful, and quietly funny in a way that always made people feel comfortable.

You lit up when you talked about building things—games, LEGOs, plex server, ideas, whatever it was, you always had something going. But more than anything, you lit up when you talked about Rina and Stephanie. You loved them so deeply, and it showed in everything you did.

I wish you had seen yourself the way the rest of us did. I wish the pain hadn’t taken over. I miss you. I’ll carry the memories with me, and I’ll always be grateful I got to know you.

Rest easy, my friend.

With love,
Eric

My sincere condolences to my niece Rina grand niece Stephy, Tanna and David, Mark and to the entire family of Stephen!It is with  heavy heart  and we are all shocked of Stephen's passing. He was such a sweetheart , a caring and good husband to Rin and lovable father to Stephy . The first time he came to the Philippines , we are amazed of how he treated us as if he knows us for so long making sure that we are all okay i
n our trips from the city of Cebu to our province in Leyte . The entire community in our place was also amazed of how he greeted them with our local way of showing respect to our elders . We never had a dull moment with Stephen and Rin and Stephy during their entire vacation . Stephen has a good sense of humour , very generous ,caring and never stop talking until we realized that it was late in the  evening. Rest in paradise with the Lord ,Stephen . Continue to watch over Rin and Stephy. The entire family of Rin in the Philippines will miss you!

I am so very sorry for your loss. Stephen was always kind and generous everytime I saw him. I am praying for the family.

My best memory to cherish with Stephen was the Easter egg hunt with family on 4/12/25.   We had so much fun with the girls, lots of laughing and being silly!  Love you Stephen with all my heart.  Love Aunt April

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Stephen. He was not only an exceptional technician but also a kind and honorable man. His contributions and presence will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time

OBITUARY

Stephen James Schuler

July 24, 1985 – April 14, 2025

Katy Funeral Home

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