Robert Schumacher

Robert Schumacher

Robert Edward Schumacher, 92, was born Oct. 14, 1918, at Heron Lake, Minn., on the family farm to Edward and Josephine Schumacher. He died Jan. 30, 2011, in Kalispell.

Robert, “Bob,” was raised on the Schumacher farm, living a wholesome life through the Great Depression. Farming with his father, mother and older brother Russ, the family was successful in raising crops and livestock. Russ and Bob starting one of the first large production turkey farms in the U.S. Bob loved being raised on a farm. Heron Lake was known for its duck and geese hunting which was a great opportunity for Bob to hunt and fish daily. He attended Heron Lake public schools and graduated in 1936. He farmed until 1940 when he enlisted in the Army.

Bob joined the U.S. Army Air Corps on Oct. 16, 1940. He trained in photo mapping and reconnaissance geodetic work at St. Louis, Lowry Field, Colo., March Field, Calif., Laredo, Texas, and Washington, D.C. Technical Sgt. Robert served nearly 30 months overseas in Brazil, Liberia, Nigeria French Cameroon, Algeria and Chile with the Geodetic Unit, mapping South America and Africa. In Chile, Robert worked for Santiago offices of Land National Geographic Department. He continued working there until the war was over in October of 1945.

Robert met Patricia Minor in 1941, while serving in Denver. They corresponded during the following four years, courting through daily letters. They were married on Feb. 6, 1945, at Bradley Field, in Denver. Bob was then shipped out to Chile until the end of the war.

After the war, the newlyweds moved to Minneapolis. Bob attended the University of Minnesota, receiving a bachelor’s degree as a fish and wildlife biologist. In December of 1949 he attended graduate school.

He began work at the Minnesota Department of Conservation Fisheries Research Unit. He worked in Minnesota Game and Fish for 14 years.

Bob and Pat had four children while living in White Bear Lake, Minn. He earned his private pilot’s license and loved flying his own plane locally.

In the fall of 1965, he was offered a position and moved to Kalispell, and worked for 17 years as a supervisor of fisheries of Region One for the Montana Department of Fish and Game, with Laney Hazel and Bob Domrose. Robert retired in 1983.

Moving to Montana was the best thing that happened to Bob and his family. He always said it was the best place in the world to live and raise a family. With his family, he was active in St. Matthew’s Church and school. He was a lector and ran the St. Matthew’s fair buffet with Smitty for a few years.

At the age of 47, Bob and Pat discovered their passion for snow skiing at Big Mountain and he continued to ski until age 85. It was a favorite event for Bob, Pat and family. After retiring, Bob founded the Ski Host Program with Howard Whitney on the Big Mountain Ski Resort. It gave Bob and Pat a chance to ski five days a week, he as a volunteer. He said it was the best job he ever had. He was healthy enough to ski in New Zealand with the 70-Plus Club at age 80.

Along the way, Robert became an avid stoneware potter. He studied under Flaherty and Markle in the 1970s at Flathead Valley Community College. He became a well-known local artist, selling pottery for many years in the Flathead. He also enjoyed photography, hunting and fishing. Bob and Pat traveled often with trips to Hawaii and Europe.

After Pat’s death in 1992, he was fortunate to share a home life with his daughter Lynn, and her family Jay and Jordan Engel. He had the pleasure of watching his only grandchild, Jordan, grow each day for 14 years. Bob looked forward to yearly summer vacation traveling with daughter Judy; they had many great adventures, especially in England. Son Greg visited yearly to swap hunting and fishing stories.  Bob was also able to travel Europe with son Terry and wife To-Chau. He was a true lover of good food and he could tell you where he was and what he ate for every meal in his travels throughout his entire life.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, brother, and wife Patricia.

He is survived by his children, Terry Schumacher and wife To-Chau Tran, of Indiana; Greg Schumacher and wife Kim Voss, of Denver, Judy Schumacher, of Tucson, and Lynn Schumacher Engel and husband Jay and their son Jordan, of Kalispell; nephews Dean Schumacher and wife Judy, and Lee and wife Muff; and many great nieces and great nephews.

Funeral services were held Feb. 5, 2011, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. Interment took place at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Robert Schumacher Fund at St. Matthew’s in Kalispell.