Robert J. (Bob) Schumann, of Oak Bluffs, died on April 15 after a period of declining health.

Bob was born Dec. 22, 1950, to Jane (Whitney) and Justin Schumann. He was the oldest of three siblings and grew up with his brother Tom and sister Annemarie in Wantagh, Long Island. During their childhood, summer days were spent at Jones Beach, stopping for ice cream on the way home. Whenever his Uncle Jim came over, all the kids in the neighborhood would gather around for ghost stories told with precise details and sound effects that both delighted and scared everyone, no matter what their age. Every summer at Trout Lake in the Adirondack Mountains they played bingo, square danced, played ping pong, and, of course, spent endless hours swimming, fishing and boating.

This quality family time ended when Bob’s father died in October of 1967, and his mother died two and a half years later in March of 1970. After attending Chaminade High School on Long Island, he was accepted to an Ivy league college, but chose to go to a local university to be closer to family. After two years, Bob decided to pursue a different path, becoming a skilled carpenter. He built houses in Vermont and on Martha’s Vineyard as well as becoming a fine finished carpenter and cabinetmaker.

Bob spent time living in both New Orleans, La. and Townshend, Vt. Following the devastating death of his brother Tom in 1987, he joined his sister Annemarie and moved to Martha’s Vineyard. It was there that Bob found his true home. His lifestyle reflected the way of the Island: the relaxed pace of life, the fertile soil, the calming effect of the ocean around. Among his favorite places were the cliffs and beaches of Aquinnah and Menemsha.

His daughter Bethany, born June 26, 1985, was the light of his life and parenting became his focus. He was so proud of her, celebrating all of her accomplishments and dedicating as much time to be with her as possible, building memories and introducing her to new places and experiences.

Bob was charismatic, brilliant, cultured and charming. Annemarie used to refer to him as “Mr. Smooth.” People from all walks of life felt listened to and cared for by him. No matter where he went, he made deep, instant connections with people that often lasted for years or even decades.

Bob took pleasure in making delicious meals for family and friends using the freshest ingredients possible including the watercress that grew in the stream behind his home for many years.

Bob’s home was always full of the sound of rock & roll, reggae, jazz, blues and classical music. His hundreds of records typically sat on the shelves that he’d built. He was also a lover of live music, from the local drum circle on the beach, to stadium shows with the Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison, Simon & Garfunkel, and Bruce Springsteen, to name a few. Bob was always turning people on to new singers and songwriters, and that’s one of Bethany and Annemarie’s fondest memories of him. Bethany and Bob went to see all types of concerts together. their favorite experience was seeing Bruce Springsteen at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. Some of Bethany’s favorite childhood memories were made up of the long car rides they spent listening to their favorite music over and over again.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, Jane and Justin Schumann, grandmother Rosemary Schaffner, aunt and uncle Anne and Jim Jones, and brother Tom Schumann.

He is survived by his daughter Bethany Socha, sister and brother-in-law Annemarie and Terry Donahue, and many nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins. He also leaves many good friends, who will miss and remember him always.

A celebration of Robert’s life is being planned for late summer/early fall.