Robert G. Schlager, 86

December 29, 2017

Robert G. Schlager, 86, of Lancaster, passed away at his residence on Friday, December 29, 2017.
He was the husband of Bonnie L. Walker Schlager with whom he shared 25 years of marriage. He was the husband of the late Jacqueline Black Schlager. Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late John P. and Helen Celia Kolb.
Bob attended Lancaster Catholic High School and was a graduate of JP McCaskey High School. He then joined the United States Marine Corps, serving in the Korean War as a Staff Sgt from 1950 to 1953. After being honorably discharged, he joined the Columbia Reserves.
He worked as a steeplejack, as a roofer, and had worked at Heil Welding Company, where he served as the union president. He was also the manager of the Dairy Queen on Columbia Ave and worked for 25 years with the City of Lancaster as a housing inspector until his retirement. Bob was well-known in Lancaster for his cowboy hat and was nicknamed “Kenny Rogers”.
A devout member of St. Joseph Catholic Church all of his life, he served as an usher, helped maintain the church grounds such a painting and was a 3rd degree Knight of Columbus. He was instrumental in his wife’s conversion and was very dedicated to prayer, being a devotee of the Blessed Mother, St. Brigitte and St. Michael.
Bob was a lover of sports, especially of Notre Dame, football, basketball and lacrosse. He loved the Phillies, win or lose, and never missed a game on television. He was an avid fitness person who was a 50 year member of the YMCA, where he played racquetball. He was a great storyteller as his grandchildren can attest to many hours and may stories. He loved to go to the beach and got teased for his “Panama Jack Suntan” he acquired each summer.
Bob was a trusted friend to many and a wonderful father, stepfather, and grandfather but most of all a fabulous husband to his wife Bonnie. “Farewell, my love…save me a place on your cloud in Heaven.”
In addition to Bonnie, he is survived by his children: Cindy Hoffman and Michael Schlager; his stepchildren Michael and Scott Hoffman, Karen green, and Laurie Pabon; his 11 grandchildren: Matt C., Matthew Scott, Megan, Shane, Scott, Jason, Shamica, Cherish, Ricky, Alicia, and Coleen and by his 8 great grandchildren: Mia, Olivia, Briella, Alyah, Noah, Nevaeh, Paislee, and Reagan.
Friends will be received on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 440 St. Joseph St., Lancaster, PA 17603 from 10-11AM, with the Mass to follow at 11AM. Interment in St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Bob’s memory to the St. Joseph Catholic Church Restoration Fund at the above address or to PA Wounded Warriors Inc, 1117 Country Club Rd., Camp Hill, PA 17011.