Leo Louis Schaut
GRAND RAPIDS — Leo Louis Schaut, aged 92 passed away on February 6, 2024, with his loving family by his side. Leo was born in Faunus, Michigan on June 6, 1931. He was the son of Louis J. and Edna M. (Niquette) Schaut. Leo was predeceased by his loving wife of 68 years, Patricia A. Schaut (Simon), his parents, sisters Patricia, Caroline Jane and Karen Schaut, brothers John, Daniel, Thomas, Philip, William, Richard, and L. Robert Schaut and sisters-in-law, Betty Jane McMartin, Barbara and Carole Schaut, and brothers-in-law, Charles Snyder and Mike Ott. His son, Paul Martin Schaut passed away in 2017. Leo also leaves behind his sisters Mary Snyder, Joy Ott and Dorothy Martin, and sisters-in-laws Marina Schaut, Ellen Schaut, and many nieces and nephews. He is survived by sons, John (Marty), Jim (Maureen), Bill (Linda), Joseph (Sherry) and daughters, Mary (Mark) Pestana, Trish Schaut, Barbara (Bill) Luyk, and Laurie Schaut. He’s grandfather to 15, Meghan (David), Rebecca (Jerry), Erin (Matt), Mary (Devin), Mike, Kathleen (Joe), Gary (Kelly), Stephen (Jesse), Ben, Nicholas, Nicole (Jeremy), Jill, Stephanie (Basil), Hannah, and Simon. Great-grandfather to 16, Maddie, Brady, Noah, Catherine, Jack, Casey, Luna, Luka, Evelyn, Frances, Christian, Ian, Dakota, Briar, Evan, and Harrison.
Leo received his B.S. and M.S. in engineering from Wayne State University and has parlayed that into many careers from civil and structural engineering, consulting engineer and expert witness, baseball coach, and real estate sales. He held many positions with various Detroit based companies designing automotive factories for GM and Chrysler and civil projects such as foundations for Cobo Hall. Before living in Grand Rapids, the family spent eight years in Canada where he was a civilian contractor assigned to the U.S. Air Force designing and supervising construction of radar bases related to the Cold War DEW line. Back in Michigan, Leo and his wife Pat owned and managed many rental properties on Heritage Hill.
He was active in many organizations including Michigan Society of Professional Engineers, Schaut Associates Consulting Engineers for more than 25 years and Lakeside Development Co. since 2003. He has been active in Holy Spirit Parish in several groups and choir for 50 plus years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Parish on Saturday, February 10 at 11 a.m. where his family will receive visitors from 10 to 11 a.m. at church.
Entombment will be at Resurrection Cemetery Mausoleum. His family will receive visitors Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary, 3525 Remembrance Rd. NW. A Rosary will be prayed Friday 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be appreciated by The Holy Spirit Educational Foundation or West Catholic Legacy Fund.