Robert V. Schaller Sr.

Robert “Bob” Vincent Schaller, Sr. was reunited with his wife of 69 years in heaven on September 24, 2016 at age 88. Bob was born on October 25, 1927 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Joseph C. Schaller and Irene Kurtz Schaller, the ninth of ten children. In addition to the love of his life, Mary “Helen” Schaller, his parents, and his step-mother Florence Heindel Schaller; Bob was preceded in death by his siblings – Joseph, Richard, Rita, Dolores, Verna, Donald, Justin, and Clement; his grandson David McKay and his daughter-in-law Charlene Schaller.

Bob’s strong Catholic faith never wavered and was demonstrated to all who knew him. As a child, he was a member of St. Joseph’s Church, served as an altar boy with his brothers, and attended St. Joseph’s School. Bob had fond memories of growing up on Poplar Street in Lancaster. He spoke of skating and playing childhood games with the neighborhood children (many of whom were relatives), swimming at Maple Grove, attending dances held at St. Joseph’s, riding horseback to Mountville, and raising pigeons.

Bob served in the United States Navy from September 1945 thru October 1948. His navy career started in the Great Lakes, then sent to California and put on a troop ship to Japan and finally transferred to his ship in China, the USS Mindanao (ARG3). His ship made ports of call at San Pedro, CA; Balboa and Colon in Panama Canal Zone; New Orleans, Louisiana; Galveston, Texas; arriving in Orange, Texas on July 12, 1946.

While stationed in Orange, Bob met Helen on October 25, 1946 and they were wed on January 25, 1947. He once said, “My love for my wife is as strong now as it was the day I first told her I love you.” After residing in Gilmer Homes until 1955, they purchased the family home at 415 Bridal Wreath in Roselawn addition. They raised their family as members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the children attended St. Mary’s schools. Bob supported his family by working shift-work at DuPont Chemical Plant from which he retired in March of 1985. Bob also worked a great number of years at Sears in both Orange and at Baybrook Mall in Webster, Texas. He was very much a people person and always enjoyed the relationships with his co-workers. Bob was very hardworking and an excellent provider for his family. He always gave 110% to everything he did and was very resourceful and accomplished.

Bob and Helen eventually moved to Pasadena, Texas to be closer to their children and grandchildren in 1987. They became members of St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Deer Park, Texas. His hobbies included family gatherings, traveling, and photography.

He was a loving husband, wonderful father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son and brother. Bob is survived by his brother Lambert Schaller, his children – Robert Vincent Schaller, Jr. and wife Sherry, Gregory Ray Schaller and wife Yvonne, Dolores Vee McGowan and husband Clifford, Jude Romaine McKay and husband Harry, Allan Kirby Schaller and wife Diane, Shelby Dan Schaller and friend Susan, Ted Raymond Schaller and wife Melodee, Russell David Schaller and wife Lindsay, Verna Raynel Ward and husband Craig, and Carl Dempsey Schaller and wife Christy; their 23 grandchildren and blessed with many great-grandchildren. His family was his pride and joy and he stated “We are proud of all of our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.”

All services will be held at Grand View Funeral Home, located at 8501 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, Texas on Wednesday, September 28, 2016. The Visitation will be from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.; funeral services will commence at 3:00 p.m.; and interment to follow at 4:00 p.m. Services will be officiated by Fr. Reginald Samuels of St. Hyacinth Deer Park.