SCHMITZ, Robert Joseph 1923-2001

SCHMITZ, BECK, SAAKSMEIER, GREINER, STAEBELL

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 9/8/2012 at 18:26:15

Robert Joseph Schmitz was born April 20, 1923 in Eagle Center, IA, the son of Henry J. and Agnes M. (Beck) Schmitz. He died Monday, October 1, 2001 at Presbyterian Hospital in Plano, TX, at 78 years of age.

He attended Sacred Heart Grade and High School in Waterloo, IA. Robert joined the U.S. Navy in 1940 and served in the European Theatre of Operations until 1946. He married Arlene Doris Saaksmeier, on June 26, 1948 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waterloo. Robert was employed at John Deere & Company in Waterloo for many years. Later, he and Arlene lived in Watertown, NY, McKeesport, PA and Cherry Hill, NJ, where they retired in 1975. They moved to Plano, TX in 1984 to be closer to their grandchildren. Robert was a member in the National Clock Association and enjoyed antique clocks. He was the current ship historian for the U.S.S. Savannah, a ship on which he served in WW II.

He is survived by his wife Arlene, of Plano, TX; his children, Helen Marie Schmitz of Cherry Hill, NJ and Steven Joseph Schmitz (Lesley) of Bedford, TX; three grandchildren, Jamie, Scott and Stephanie Schmitz, all of Bedford, TX; three sisters, Margaret Greiner of Grundy Center, IA, Sr. Frances Elizabeth Schmitz of Chippewa Falls, WI and Clare Staebell (Paul) of Waterloo, and a brother, Loren Schmitz (Marie) of LaMesa, CA.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Elaine Schmitz.

Services were 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 4, 2001 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Falls. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Hubbard Cemetery in Hubbard, Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to Sacred Heart Catholic School Foundations, 620 W. Fifth St., Waterloo, Iowa 50702.

[Obituary by Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home]