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Rob Schumacher, Longtime Arizona Republic Photographer, Dies at 62

An official cause of death is pending, which leaves his newsroom and community focused on his 35‑plus year body of work and peer-recognized images.

Overview

  • Rob Schumacher died on Sunday, May 17, 2026, and his passing was confirmed by The Arizona Republic.
  • He spent more than 35 years at The Arizona Republic after earlier work at the Associated Press and United Press International.
  • Schumacher covered major events including a dozen Olympic Games, seven Super Bowls and nine Masters tournaments, and he also photographed riots, disasters and human‑interest stories.
  • He won numerous awards, notably the Arizona Associated Press Managing Editors’ Photo of the Year for "Foul Ball" in 2003 and Arizona Photojournalist of the Year in 2020.
  • Survivors include his wife Sheila, daughters Sara and Rachel, and a brother Jay, and colleagues say his careful preparation and anticipation of decisive moments left a lasting impact on local journalism while the medical examiner’s report is awaited.