Robert Cutler, III

THE SERVICE HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO FAMILY ILLNESS.   A MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR LATER.

Robert Richard Cutler, III., was a loving father, grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, devoted husband, and friend. He cared deeply about his friends, his family, and the communities within which he worked to make a positive difference in the world. Whether supporting arts organizations, raising money for college scholarship funds, recruiting top students for his alma mater, or giving lectures with the Cheshire Cheese Club, Bob took pride in showing up for the people who gave his life meaning and purpose.

Grounded in his faith, Bob managed through what some might call the overbearing isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic by frequently quoting the Christian Existentialist theologian, Soren Kierkegaard, who believed in the transcendent union of God and humans in the person of Jesus Christ.  Like Kierkegaard, Bob ardently believed that each person makes independent choices that constitute their own reality. In line with this belief, regardless of the challenges he faced, Bob chose to live in a state of happiness and peace.

Family was the center of Bob’s universe. Throughout his life, he extolled his devotion to the love of his life, his wife, Maria. He joyfully celebrated his children and grandchildren and, with each passing year, made the effort to travel, call or email to share messages of support, encouragement and hope. His whimsical sense of humor brought levity and joy to many situations, and he was known to play a lighthearted prank or two in his day!

A bio-physicist by training, Bob recalled his professional accomplishments, initially in academic research and later in teaching, sales, and corporate training, with a spirit of tender nostalgia. Not only did he remember all of the projects he worked on throughout his 50+ year career, but he easily recounted the names and discoveries of his former lab partners, colleagues, and students.

Passionate about classical music and opera, Bob enjoyed sharing his encyclopedic knowledge of countless composers and artists, frequently beginning such sharing with the statement “you remember…” and then proceeding to chronicle colorful, detailed stories of his favorite composers and musicians.

Bob especially relished the time he spent with his dear friends in Cleveland. Whether enjoying a Beefeater martini and meal at a favorite restaurant with someone he had known and admired for sixty years, cheering on the Cleveland sports teams in the grill at the Shaker Heights Country Club, or attending musical performances with so many beloved friends and arts supporters, Bob admired, cherished, and deeply loved each person who was part of his circle of life. He delighted in breaking bread and sharing stories while grabbing a burger with Tom at the Tavern, a sandwich with Cliff at the deli, a home-cooked, gourmet meal with Dr. John and Helen, or enjoying prime rib with Shirley on Saturday night. He spoke of every interpersonal encounter with reverence for his relationship with that individual and gratitude for the time they took to be with him.

We will miss you terribly, Dear Ol’ Dad. And we will follow your example. As your light continues to shine in our hearts and memories, like you, in the midst of our own grief and loss we will choose peace, knowing that you live in the warm embrace of Christ, transcendent, forever united with God and with all of God’s creation.

Robert R. Cutler, III, age 86 of Shaker Hts., OH.  Graduate of Yale University (1958), Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies (58-59) and Case Western Reserve University (1980).  Beloved husband of the late Maria C. Cutler (nee Monachino); loving father of Jennifer C. Merritt, PhD (Dan Faria) of Los Altos, CA and Robert R. Cutler, IV (Lisa) of Scottsdale, AZ; dear grandfather of Wylie M. and Skyler J. Merritt, Robert R. Cutler, V, Kathryn G. and Paisley A. Cutler.  The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in his name to the Yale Scholarship Fund of Cleveland (https://www.guidestar.org/profile/34-6523145) or to the Cleveland Institute of Music, (https://www.cim.edu).