Trivia

Founded The New Hope Therapy Center, in 1968. The world's first live, church-sponsored 24-hour counseling and suicide prevention hotline. Since its inception, it is estimated that over a million people have dialed this hotline and received immediate counseling.

Was born during a horrific flood in Iowa. The doctors, making house calls, negotiated the storm and delivered Robert safely.

Is the best-selling author of 37 books.

Son of farmer Anthony Schuller and his wife, Jenny Belkham Schuller, both from Iowa.

While on summer break from college, Robert saw his parents' home and farm utterly destroyed by a tornado. Eight other farms in the neighborhood were destroyed as well, but the Schullers were the only family to rebuild.

Founder of Crystal Cathedral.

Fulfilled one of his lifelong dreams with the opening of the Fuqua International School of Christian Communications, funded by the generous donation of Mr. J.B. Fuqua, of Atlanta, Georgia in 1992. Schuller served for many years as Chancellor of the school, where ministers from all over the world hone their preaching skills.

Had testified in a U.S. District Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles to support claims that Crystal Cathedral Ministries owes him and various family members more than $5 million following the financial collapse of the televangelist empire that produces The Hour of Power (1970). Schuller, his wife, and a daughter and son-in-law say the ministry owes them for unpaid contracts, copyright infringement and intellectual property rights. [7 November 2012].

His idol was Norman Vincent Peale.

Graduated from Newkirk High School in Newkirk, Iowa, in 1944.

His uncle was the hero of the Schuller House.

Grew up in a farm in Alton, Iowa, just 42 miles north of Sioux City.

Past his 85th birthday, his latest preaching was "Who Gave You The Belief, You Could Be Somebody?" [18 September 2011].

His uncle (on his mother's side) attended Princeton University.

Used to be a part of the Dutch Colony in Sioux City, Iowa.

Before he was a successful televangelist, he was a radio announcer for the National Religious Program.

His only son, Robert A. Schuller (full name: Robert Harold Anthony Vernon Schuller, Jr.), has followed in his footsteps as an ordain minister and a best-selling author. Robert Jr. has 15 published books to his credit.

Lifelong friend of Billy Graham for 69 years, from 1946 until his own death in 2015. Despite being eight years Schuller's senior, Schuller met him when Graham came as a preacher from Minnesota, to deliver an evangelistic message at the Hope College Chapel in Holland, Michigan.

He was close friends with Roger Williams and Gene Autry.

Announced that he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer that had spread to the lymph nodes. A follow-up examination in September 2013 presented Schuller with the possibility of undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment that could extend his life. [25 August 2013].

In 1970, with the encouragement of fellow pastor, Dr. Billy Graham, Dr. Schuller began broadcasting services from the Neutra sanctuary on the "Hour of Power." By 1975, the "Hour of Power" was airing in all 50 states, and the unprecedented growth of the local congregation dictated the decision to build the internationally acclaimed Crystal Cathedral. Designed by award-winning architect Philip Johnson, the first-ever all-glass church was dedicated on September 14, 1980.

Retired as Senior Pastor at Crystal Cathedral, in January, 2006, at age 79.

It was his idea for his wife, Arvella DeHaan, to serve as executive producer and program director of 'The Hour of Power,' telecast.

Father of: Robert A. Schuller, Sheila, Jeanne, Carol and Gretchen.

He was also a good friend of Frank Sinatra. Schuller's friend, from Palm Springs, had purchased his house.

Had removed his son, Robert A. Schuller, as Senior Pastor of Crystal Cathedral, the same position that his father held, years earlier. The elder Schuller cited, 'a lack of shared vision,' who also stated that 'different ideas as to the direction and the vision for this ministry' with his son 'made it necessary ... to part ways in the Hour of Power television ministry'. [25 October 2008].

His grandson, Robert V. 'Bobby' Schuller (full name: Robert Harold Anthony Vernon Schuller III), is a third-generation ordain minister. Bobby's father is Robert A. Schuller.

His television show, 'The Hour of Power,' was based on 'The Hour of Decision,' a radio show that was hosted by fellow minister, Billy Graham.

At age 25, Schuller (along with his wife, Arvella) moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1952, to pursue a career in evangelism, before the couple moved to Chicago, Illinois, temporarily, before returning to California, in 1955.

Before he was a successful televangelist, he used to work at Ivanhoe Reformed Church in Riverdale, Illinois.

His family purchased their very first television set when Schuller was only 22.

His wife, Arvella DeHaan Schuller, died on February 11, 2014, and lived to be age 84, exactly one year before himself.

Just a couple of years before his wife's, Arvella's death, he and Arvella both resigned from the Board of Directors of the Crystal Cathedral. According to his daughter, Carol Schuller Milner, she said her parents were stepping down because they and the board couldn't reach a deal for housing benefits and fees for using her father's writings and sermons as part of the bankruptcy proceedings. [10 March 2012].

Was idolized by: Joni Lamb, Gladys Knight, Naomi Judd, T.D. Jakes, Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, Phil McGraw, Laura Schlessinger, Lisa Bevere, Michele Pillar, Michael O'Brien, Amy Grant, Twila Paris, Jesse Duplantis, Gordon Robertson, his best friend's (Billy Graham)'s son Franklin Graham, his 1st understudy and real-life son Robert A. Schuller and his 2nd understudy and real-life grandson Bobby Schuller.

Was the first televangelist ever to have broke the record set by Mike Wallace; for hosting the same TV series, constantly; with 38 years and 10 months as host of The Hour of Power (1970). [July 2008].

Attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan.

His closest friend encouraged him to contact former president Bill Clinton, who he later met on Christmas Eve 1993.

Friends with: Billy Graham, George Beverly Shea, Oral Roberts, Jim Bakker, Tammy Faye Bakker, Rex Humbard, Jimmy Swaggart, Kenneth Copeland, Pat Robertson, Charles Stanley, Charles Swindoll, James Dobson, James Robison, Jack Van Impe, Joyce Meyer, Marilyn Hickey, Morris Cerullo, John Osteen, Roger Williams, Frank Sinatra, Jesse Duplantis, Amy Grant, Sandi Patty, Donald Trump, Ronald Reagan, Gene Autry, Evel Knievel, Phil McGraw, Mickey Rooney, Ruta Lee, Andy Williams, Chuck Norris and Della Reese.

Became a minister with the encouragement of his uncle Henry.

His first name, and the middle name "Harold", were picked out by his grandmother and (respectively) mother.

Graduated from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, in 1949.

At age 28, Schuller (along with his wife, Arvella) moved back to Garden Grove, California, in 1955, to become a preacher (and later televangelist). Schuller's denomination asked him to start a church there. It is the oldest denomination in the United States of America, started in 1628, when the Dutch colonists bought Manhattan Island. All of it belonged to the state church in Holland which was, and still is, the Reformed Church.

According to his son Robert A. Schuller, in early August 2014, his father was residing in a care facility in Orange County, California.

He asked John Green for $1,000,000 dollars to build the Crystal Cathedral, in 1977.

His wife, Arvella DeHaan, was a breast cancer survivor.

When Schuller was attending college, he had no choice other than to take both chemistry and math classes, which were part of his requirements in obtaining a Bachelor's Degree.

Before his church was known as the Crystal Cathedral, it was originally the 'Drive-In Theater.'.

Met his wife, Arvella De Haan Schuller, when he was invited as a guest preacher at her own church.

Long lives ran in his family.

Schuller was hospitalized for an exploratory endoscopy, winding up needing a stent in his esophageal tract as possible. Still, it was inconclusive as to whether or not he will be released from the hospital, though his prognosis, at the time, was great. [30 January 2015].