Tribute to My Uncle Robert C. “Bob” Schulte – Going Out in “Robert Style.”

 The 1914 Chalmers Hearse that belongs to Reid Millard of Houser Millard Funeral Home has only been used maybe 12 times over the last 10 to 15 years.  It was Robert’s ride to his final resting place – escorted by 6 police officers and a long procession of family and friends.

We will always remember Robert’s spirit, big heart and great sense of humor.  Here’s a video tribute to Robert and his family.

Thanks to Rosie Schulte, Missy Beck, Loretta Bittle and Patsy Blomberg, who put together a slide show DVD of old family pictures for our family reunion in 2006.  I used a lot of pictures from that file.  Thanks to them also, for all they do to make our family reunions so fun and memorable.

Robert C. “Bob” Schulte, Sr., 78, of

Jefferson City died Saturday,

March 24, 2012, at St. Mary’s Health Center. He was born June 15, 1933, in Mary’s Home, a son of Lambert William and Elizabeth (Doerhoff) Schulte. Bob was a graduate of Eugene High School and attended Lincoln University.He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War from 1953-1955.On October 15, 1955, Bob was united in marriage to Marjorie Lehman. She preceded him in death on February 11, 2012.

Bob owned and operated Schulte’s Fresh Foods for 54 years. Bob said he “was always appreciative of how good the people of mid-Missouri were to him and his family.” Bob had a lifelong passion for farming and spent many hours on the Spring Garden family farm. Bob was an avid hunter and fisherman, fishing nearly every day. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, hosting dinner parties and fish fries.

He was a member of the Cathedral of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Jefferson City Host Lions Club, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and was a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. He was past president of the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce, Meadow Lake Acres Country Club and Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish Council. He served on the boards of the YMCA and St. Mary’s Health Center and was currently on the board of trustees of Central Bancompany.

He was a great supporter of local church, charity and civic organizations, including Cole County 4-H, Helias High School and the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Nearly every weekend, the parking lot of his family owned grocery store is used for numerous fundraising events such as barbeques and bake sales. Bob will be missed at the Jefferson City Jaycees Cole County Fair, where he enjoyed the huge smiles on the kid’s faces, whether he bought a grand champion steer or the last-placed chicken.

He is survived by eight children: Diane Siebeneck and husband David of Wardsville, Robert Schulte, Jr. and wife Debbie of Jefferson City; Kathy Moad and husband Jet of Eugene, Linda Cremin and husband Frank of Jefferson City, John Schulte and wife Loretta of Jefferson City, Beverly Schepers and husband Daniel of Jefferson City, Greg Schulte and wife Kim of Jefferson City, Doug Schulte of Jefferson City; his loving companion and best friend, Pat Banner; one sister, Josephine Schwaller; two sisters-in-law: Ann Schulte (wife of Lambert), Betty Schulte (wife of Justin); 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by 12 siblings: Alma Rehagen and husband Henry, Roman Schulte and wife Tillie, Emil Schulte and wife Gertrude, Aemilda Dunn and husband James, Lorraine Bosch and husband Joseph, Agnes Arens and husband Francis, Fredonia Arens and husband Herman, Eleanor Hitz and husband George, Norbert Schulte and wife Anna, Andrew Schulte and wife Bernadine, Lambert Schulte, Justin Schulte; and a brother-in-law, Bernard Schwaller.

Friends will be received from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Houser-Millard Funeral Home, where a prayer service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 30, 2012, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph with Msgr. Robert A. Kurwicki officiating. Entombment with full military honors will follow in the Resurrection Cemetery Mausoleum. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Cathedral of St. Joseph or the Cole County 4-H Program. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 W. Main St.,             (573) 636-3838      . Condolences may be left for the family online at http://www.millardfamilychapels.com