Jim Schubauer ’56, P’81, G’12, G’15

Photo: Courtesy of Special Collections/University Archives

As a student at Bucknell, Schubauer studied civil engineering and was active across campus. He participated in ROTC and the American Society of Civil Engineers, and he earned membership into Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society, and Pi Mu Epsilon, the mathematics honor society. Schubauer was also a member of the Theta Chi fraternity and contributed to L’Agenda, Bucknell’s yearbook.

After graduating, Schubauer began working as a project engineer for Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation in Boston. He then served as a first lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers Reserves. In 1959, Schubauer earned his MBA from the University of Michigan and moved to Long Island to join Schumacher & Forelle, a regional general contractor. He was named CEO in 1974. The company flourished under his leadership and became an international leader in the design and construction of corporate manufacturing facilities.

He retired in 1992 and turned his focus to volunteerism and philanthropy. Schubauer was elected to Buckell’s Board of Trustees in 1989 and served as chair of the board from 1996 to 2001, when he was elected chair emeritus. He also was a member of the Bucknell Engineering Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Engineering Centennial Lead Gifts Committee, the Sesquicentennial Campaign Regional Committee, and the campaign cabinet for The Bucknell Campaign. Schubauer and his wife, Barbara, established the Schubauer Family Scholarship in 2000.

Beyond Bucknell, Schubauer and Barbara were dedicated supporters of the Tanzanian Children’s Fund. The Schubauers traveled to Tanzania and Kenya to volunteer at the Rift Valley Children’s Village, and Schubauer served as a trustee for the nonprofit.

Schubauer is survived by his wife; three children, Gretchen Ann Schubauer, Kirsten Schubauer Heinemann ’81, and James William Schubauer II; their spouses; and six grandchildren.