SCHOBER, W. R. "Bud" 1933-2010

SCHOBER, BALLEW, REENTS, BELKNAP, BYRAM, AURINGER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 7/18/2010 at 23:30:02

W. R. "Bud" Schober

CHARLES CITY - W. R. "Bud" Schober, 76, of Melbourne, Fla., formerly of Charles City, died on Monday (July 12, 2010) under hospice care at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City due to complications from desmoplastic mesothelioma.

A celebration of life reception will be held from 9 to noon on Saturday, July 24, at his Iowa home and yard at 407 N. Jackson St. Apt. 3, Charles City.

Bud asked that memorials be given to the Charles City YMCA or Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City.

Bud was born on Nov. 18, 1933, in Clear Lake, the son of William R. and Catherine (Belknap) Reents. He was later adopted by his stepfather William A. (Willy) Schober. He grew up in Clear Lake and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1952. He was inducted into the Navy in July 1952, and served four years as a medical corpsman. He married Betty Lou Ballew in June 1955 in Washington, D.C. They later divorced. On June 1, 1982, he married Carol C. (Byram) Auringer.

After his honorable discharge, he attended NIACC, Wartburg and Herman's School of Medicine, graduating in 1960 as a physical therapist. His first job was at Younkers Rehab Center in Des Moines. In 1962, Bud became an administrator for Americana Nursing Homes in Mason City. He was promoted to executive administrator in 1964 and oversaw seven nursing homes. Bud returned to Mason City in 1966 and started Special Medical Services to provide physical therapy to Mercy Hospital and North Iowa. In 1970, Schober and Grant Therapist acquired Charles City, Osage and New Hampton hospital's physical therapy contracts. They later expanded into respiratory therapy, cardiopulmonary services and equipment rentals as Special Medical Services, Inc. In January 1997, Bud sold and retired. In 1998, he moved to Melbourne, Fla. On July 13, 1998, Bud and Carol opened Sun Trees Physical Therapy and Massage Clinic, which they operated until December 2007. Bud started to work fulltime in January 2008 for Health First Inc. at Palm Bay Outpatient Rehab. He continued to work, except for some medical leave time, until November 2009.

Bud was a big supporter of the YMCA, serving as president of the board four times and on the Foundation Board. As a member of the YMCA, Kiwanis and Elks Lodge and other organizations, Bud spent a lot of time volunteering. He also served on the Iowa State Board for Physical Therapy. Bud wanted to stay active and fit. He loved to play handball. He also enjoyed boating and water skiing. After hip surgery, his love turned to golf, which he played year-round.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife of 28 years, Carol; daughters, Julie (John) Kreider of Gouverneur, N.Y., and Patty (Tom) Dietrich of Fresno, Calif.; stepson, Bart Auringer of Charles City; grandchildren, Aaron Jacobs, Angela Dietrich-Kusch, Christopher Dunkleberger, Jillian Dunkleberger and Sarah Hamon; great-grandchildren, Amethyst and Elijah; and siblings, Recca (Bill) Hejlick, Penny (Vick) Vollrath, Jerolyn (Phil) Southwick, Jaqueline (Glen) Stevens, James Reents and John Reents.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his stepfather.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 401 Blunt St., Charles City, 641-228-4211.
www.fullertonfh.com

[ Published on Globe Gazette online, July 18, 2010 ]