Hubert E. "Bert" Shuler Jr.

Bert Shuler, husband of Brigitte Spelde, of the Providence Community, Holly Hill, S. C., died April 15, 2025. A memorial service will be held at Providence Methodist Church, 4833 Old State Road, Holly Hill, S.C. at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 26. Visitation with the family will be before the service, from 9:30-10:30. Rev. Rebecca Rowell will officiate. Burial will be private at a later time.

The son of the late Grace Hitt and Hubert E. Shuler, Sr., Bert was born on June 18, 1940. He began and ended his life living on the spot he loved most, the family farm, which has been in the Shuler family for over two and a half centuries. With exception of the time he spent at Clemson College to get his degree in Agricultural Engineering and serving in the U.S. Navy, this was his home. He was a helicopter mechanic on the USS ORISKANY Aircraft Carrier and was trained in air-to-sea rescue.

Bert loved the land and dedicated his life to taking care of it and preserving it for future generations. He was an active part of the farm’s operation until shortly before his death. He loved planting the crops and planted some of the corn himself this spring. Probably his favorite thing was to work with his backhoe! He always said he didn’t want all the land in the world –just his farm--- and “whatever bordered it.” When neighboring parcels were for sale, he usually added those to his ownership. He was an avid reader and also enjoyed sailing, skiing, shrimping and his motorcycle. He served as a Board Members of First National Bank for 28 years. That was Bert.

Bert was an honest man who often made his own rules. He truly enjoyed a good old-fashioned “debate” with friends and neighbors. Sometimes, he even started one just by making a comment about something that he often really did not believe, just to make the other person try to prove why they thought differently. These exchanges usually ended with Bert smiling slyly and saying, “You think so, huh?” There were many subjects that his friends never knew exactly how he felt about, because he had sometimes debated both sides of the argument. That was Bert.

Without fear of a challenge, he was sure that he had traveled in more parts of the world than anyone else, while on a motorcycle with his wife sitting behind him. She was his constant companion and always ready for the next trip. They would often times spend the months leading up to their trip diligently working together in the evenings to plan everything, including the best routes, hotels, sightseeing. etc. They went as far North as the Arctic Circle and as far south as the southern part of South America as well as many countries to the East and West. The images they shared with others, through photographs and slides, were truly treasures. He enjoyed connecting with the world, no matter where he was. That was Bert.

He had surgery in recent years, and always said he could have told the doctors how to do it himself. Truthfully, Bert’s knowledge did cover many areas. Though he was very intelligent, his friends urged him not to offer his opinions to those who were handling his medical problems. But, that was Bert.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Brigitte; three sons, David Shuler, Mark Shuler and Andrew Shuler (Amanda); three granddaughters, Atalie, Grace and Bess Shuler, all of the Providence Community, a daughter, Kristin Harris, and one sister, Bess Long (Jim) of Wilmington, N.C.

Memorials may be sent to: MUSC Foundation https://fundraise.musc.edu/give/372942/#!/donation/checkout or Shepherd Center Foundation https://donate.shepherd.org/give/599045/#!/donation/checkout or Providence Methodist Church, c/o Kaitlin Gillam, Treasurer, 232 Geobet Dr., Holly Hill, SC 29059.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at avingerfh.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Avinger Funeral Home, 2274 Eutaw Rd, Holly Hill, SC 29059, (803)496-3434.