SALISBURY — The Lower Shore community lost a valued leader last weekend when Rob Schultheis was struck and killed by a pick-up truck while running.
Schultheis, 37, was well known in the resort area and across the shore for his tireless dedication to Salisbury University and as a district sales manager for Sysco Eastern Maryland, where he worked for the last 14 years. According to police reports, Schultheis, an avid fitness enthusiast who often competed in road races and bicycling events, was running on Meadow Bridge Road in Fruitland last Friday around 7:30 p.m. when he was struck by a pick-up truck driven by Brent M. Taylor of Eden.
Wicomico County Sheriff’s deputies responded and found Fruitland EMTs attending to Schultheis, who later died from injuries sustained in the collision. The accident is being investigated by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Reconstruction Unit. Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to call 410-548-4891.
Schultheis was known for his involvement with Salisbury University (SU), where he served three terms on the Alumni Association Board of Directors including two terms as president. His passing was also felt around the resort for his long service with Sysco Eastern Maryland with its headquarters in Pocomoke.
On Saturday, SU President Dr. Janet Dudley-Eschbach released a statement on behalf of the university.
“From regularly attending SU events, to giving back by generously naming a conference room in the Perdue School of Business, to presenting congratulatory gifts from the association to thousands of fellow graduates as they crossed the commencement stage, he has been a dedicated and loyal friend to this university,” she said. “He loved SU and everyone knew it. Rob had a gift for making others feel valued and special and his warm and friendly presence will be missed.”
Schultheis is survived by his wife of seven years, Shannon, and the couple’s two children, Ben and Savannah. Earlier this week, Schultheis’ family began a You Caring fundraising effort to help his wife and children at least cope financially with the tragic loss and help with the children’s college expenses. The fundraising effort had an original goal of $25,000, but had surpassed that figure in the first day. By mid-week, 370 supporters had donated $62,350 toward a revised target goal of $75,000 with nearly 90 days left in the fundraising effort.
