Robert E. Schlortt Jr.

Robert Ernest Schlortt Jr. passed away peacefully in his home on September 10, 2026. Robert (Bob) was born October 19, 1942, in Floresville, Texas to Minnie and Robert E. Schlortt Sr. He was baptized at First Lutheran Church in Floresville. He attended elementary school in San Marcos before his family moved to Knippa where he graduated from high school in 1960 and then attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 1961. He completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Texas Lutheran College in 1964. During his senior year at TLC, Bob met and fell in love with Karen Steubing. Less than two years later, on June 19, 1965, Bob & Karen were married on campus at Chapel of the Abiding Presence. The couple moved to Dubuque, Iowa where Bob attended Wartburg Theological Seminary, graduating in 1968. Bob was ordained in his hometown church – Emmanuel Lutheran in Knippa on September 15, 1968.

Rev. Robert Schlortt (Pastor Bob) spent the next thirty years serving five parishes – Prince of Peace Lutheran, Zion Lutheran, and Immanuel Lutheran in the Taylor area; St. Paul Lutheran in Columbus; and Grace Lutheran in Eagle Lake.

During his years of ministry with the American Lutheran Church, he served as the President of Ministerial Alliance in Taylor and Columbus, Chaplain of the Columbus Volunteer Fire Department, and was an active member in the Columbus Lions Club. From 1992 to 2005, Bob and Karen worked for National Church Residencies, managing independent-living properties for seniors in Columbus and Austin.

Coming from a family with a history of military service, Bob was a proud and patriotic American. He served more than 30 years as a chaplain in the United States Army Reserve and the Texas Army National Guard, receiving multiple awards and retiring from the 49th Armored Division with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Bob and Karen have three children – Kara Lynn (Schlortt) Kleimann, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Robert Ernest Schlortt III, born in Taylor, Texas; and Elizabeth Anne Schlortt, born in Columbus, Texas.

In 2020, Bob and Karen moved to San Antonio to live on the ranch where Karen spent her childhood years. An avid outdoorsman, Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening, He especially enjoyed time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, playing dominoes and cards, and going on family vacations.

He is survived by his wife, Karen; children, Kara (husband Rob), Robert (wife Sandy) and Elizabeth; grandchildren, Tanner Kleimann (wife Annemarie), Abigail (Kleimann) Weishuhn (husband Aaron), Zachary Kleimann, Kirsten Schlortt, and Vivian Schlortt; great grandchildren, Walter Weishuhn, Orson Weishuhn, Robert Kleimann, and Louisa Weishuhn; brother Hermann (wife Earline), sister Iris Leber (husband Dean); and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A celebration of life will take place at Concordia Lutheran Church on Friday, September 18 at 1:00pm. If you desire to honor Bob with a memorial, please donate to Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas.