Robert James Schoelzel

     Robert James Schoelzel, Sr., 87 years old of Kingsbury, Texas, went home to be with his Lord God on Saturday, April 7, 2018, with his daughter Robie Anderson at his bedside, her husband, Robert Anderson which whom he lived with and son Robert Schoelzel, Jr.

     A graveside urn burial will take place at 11:30am, Saturday, April 21 at Kingsbury Cemetery in Guadalupe County, 550 Prairie Lea Road, Kingsbury TX 78638, with military honors presented. Robert and his wife, Helen, will both be buried together at the ceremony, as she preceded his passing August 7th of 2016.

     Robert was born Saturday, December 27, 1930 in Kingsbury, Texas to Lula Bell Halbardier and Conrad F. Schoelzel. Robert had one brother and two sisters:, Walter Schoelzel, Leigh Hickey and Minnie Strey who have all predeceased him early in his life. 

     Robert grew up on a farm in the great depression and the Texas dust bowl. He knew how to do so many things living the farm life.  At age 17, he knew he needed to try to make a better life so he enlisted in The United States Coast Guard.  He loved being a Coastie and saving peoples lives along with serving his country.  He retired from the Coast Guard after 20 years.  He injured his back on his last tour and that is when he decided to retire. 

     Robert went on to have two other full careers.  He went through the Long Beach Police Academy and FBI academy to be a Federal Police officer. He retired after 10 years being diagnosed with Asbestosis then went on the be the Public Safety Director of Police for Golden West College where he retired after 25 years.  He loved working and was forced to retire at age 76 when his wife of 68 years became very ill. 

     Robert met his wife Helen E, Schoelzel while stationed in Lahaina, Maui in 1950, they fell in love and were married shortly after meeting through his friend Harrison who was Helen’s brother.  They had a great life of 68 years together.  Through the Coast Guard they were stationed at many different places and at times he had to leave his family for long periods of times. It was both hard for him and all of us. Robert never really had much time for outside interests as he worked much of the time but did like going out with his friends to the gun shooting range when he could find the time.  The past few years Robert loved being home with his wife by his side as she had a devastating stroke incapacitating her, his daughter Robie, husband Robert and dogs.  He loved watching the wildlife, chickens and guineas on the five acres where he resided.  He also loved watching Fox News.  He had such great stories of his life that he loved to tell of his life in the Coast Guard, Police and College.  Everyone loved to listen to the historical information when he would talk about it and loved telling them.    He was such a great information of wealth on so much in life and will miss him telling those stories to all. Robert also was a 32 degree Mason, an honor for which he was very proud.

     The family would like to thank all of our family, friends and doctors who helped Robert in his last days of his life.

Robert is survived by daughter Robie Anderson and husband Robert Anderson, son Robert J Schoelzel, Jr,  daughter Debra L. Crank and husband, Gregory Crank; Grandchildren, Casey Larsen Schoelzel, Carson Larsen Schoelzel, Amber Branson, Matthew Crank and Gregory Crank Smith; Step Grandchildren , John and wife Heidi Anderson, Karen and husband Cory Willis; Step Great Grandchildren,  McKenna Willis, Hanna Willis, Nichols Frost, Jacob Anderson, Emily and husband Eli Ramos.

He was predeceased by son Bryan Schoelzel and partner Bob Macias. 

     There are many quotes that my Father liked, but one stands out to my mind is that of my father had a tattoo on his arm that said “Death before Dishonor” as he loved his country so very much. He said it is the greatest country on earth and we should all cherish it.   I know he subscribed to Six Pillars of Character daily: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Justice and Fairness and most of all Caring-well being of others with kindness, compassion, unselfishness.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert James Schoelzel, please visit our floral store.