Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Isabella Fryer Schmalz and his nephew, Peter de la Vasselais.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Josephine “Josie” A. Schmalz; his two sons, Barry Schmalz (Courtney) and Robert C. Schmalz, Jr. (Donna); his stepchildren, Guy Rutledge (Rhonda), Kenny Rutledge (Amy), and Sharon Douglas (Scott); his two sisters, June Rees and Elaine Kersh; and his two nieces, Julie Appel (Eddie) and Jane Kersh Breland (Tommy). He is also survived by eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Robert was born in New Orleans on July 6, 1930. He was a banking officer at the main office of Whitney National Bank, a career that lasted 42 years.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the memorial service in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 1:00PM. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 12:00PM.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Robert’s memory to the Lighthouse for the Blind, 123 State St., New Orleans, LA 70118 or www.lighthouselouisiana.org.
To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com