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Robert Wayne Schlager
05/20/1940 — 02/01/2003
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Platteville, Colorado
Robert Wayne Schlager
Robert W. Schlager 13 year Richland resident, passed away at Kadlec Medical Center on February 1, 2003. He was a retired Quality Control Supervisor and retired from the Marine Corps after 23 years of service. During the war, he did three tours in Vietnam. When he arrived in Vietnam for the 3rd time, he was in charge of 6 men in the American Consulate, Bien Hoa.
After the consulate closed, he was transferred to the American Embassy in Saigon. During the fall of Saigon, April 30, 1975, he was one of the last eleven men to leave the embassy roof after helping thousands of people evacuate to safety.
Bob, during the last frantic moments on the embassy roof, received a special Navy Commendation medal for exceptional bravery immediately prior to liftoff on the last helicopter to leave Vietnam. Bob is another example of millions of Americans who gave their all for this wonderful nation. He was very patriotic and loved the Marine Corps.
He was a member of VFW Post 7952, American Legion, and enjoyed socializing with the veterans of both groups.
One of his main interests was camping with his wife, Vicki. They went on many camping trips where they hiked many a trail. He loved being outdoors watching the birds, fishing, and gardening.
Bob is the son of George Schlager and Emma Weber Schlager and brother of Earnest, who are all deceased. His survivors include, wife, Vicki Alexander-Schlager, his 3 stepchildren, Justin, Zachary, and Tyler Alexander. Also left are three children from a previous marriage Christina Luckey, Marvin Shoewalter and Rachael Schlager .
His four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Ruth and Calvin Spinsor, Loretta Heroux, Annette and Ken Lyons, and Becki Lowe will also feel the loss of their brother.
Services will be held Friday morning February 7, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. and viewing is Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., both at Einans Funeral Home, 915 By-pass Highway, Richland, WA. All are welcome.
Friends and family are invited after the service Friday for a luncheon at Richland V.F.W. Post 7952, 1369 George Washington Way, Richland.
Vicki: We are so saddened to hear about Bob. We are in Arizona for the winter but wanted to extend our sympathy to you on your loss.
Sarge, I’m gonna miss you. You were a good man and I’ll miss our conversations, good and bad, at the VFW. Proud to call you a friend. Rest in Peace my brother.
I remembered Bob in Saigon during the Fall of Saigon. His page on our WebSite is: http://www.fallofsaigon.org/schlager.htm. Bob was on the last chopper out of Saigon. The last time I saw him was at a People’s Magazine Interview in San Diego. We all had too many beers and too much fun. I know your in a better place guarding the gates of heaven. Semper Fi Marine. Rest-In_Best.
I knew Bob for 2 1/2 years. I had the opportunity to work with him at ATG in Richland, WA, in the Quality Control Department. I have respect for the man that Bob was, for the example he set and for the care that he showed for his co-workers. More importantly, Bob was a great friend. Though my association with Bob was brief, I will always remember him. My condolences are with his wife Vicki and the whole Schlager Family. May God bless all of you. In closing, I would like to say, “I love you Bob. We will see each other again!”
Respectfully,
Dusty Butcher
Thank you for every thing Bob, and you will be missed.
I want to thank my dad for giving me love. I want to thank my dad for keeping my feet firmly planted on the ground. I want to thank my dad for giving me a love for the outdoors, and teaching me everything he knew about fishing. I want to thank all the people in his life for giving him a happy, full life. I know that he had wonderfull friends, and a loving family. It makes me happy to see that he got out of life what everyone would want. That gives me closure. I especially want to thank Vicki for being so sweet to me. You made the whole thing easier. I will never forget you for that. I love you Dad.
My family’s prayers for Bob and family, including his USMC family of which I proudly count myself one. I last saw Bob in Manilla after the Saigon evacuation. Semper Fi, Brother.
L/Cpl C. E. English, Jr.
2/7/03
Dear Vicki
Our hearts go out to you for your loss. We just wanted you to know that YOU BOB & FAMILY are on our minds & in our hearts & prayers! Bob was and always will be a GREAT & HONORABLE MAN ! I’ve known Bob for quit a few years & consider it an honor to have been a coworker,Friend/Family of his.Bob was a good friend of my fathers & over the years talked & helped me through some difficult times in my life,Bob was a TO THE POINT MAN who said what was on his mind whether you wanted to hear it or not BUT ALWAYS FOR YOUR BENEFIT!I will ALWAYS remember the countless GREAT times my family & I had the pleasure of sharing with YOU & BOB whether it be Holidays, barbecues in the back yard or hanging out at the VFW & singing songs for you two, so you could dance with oneanother,which you made an ART OF!!! WE LOVE YOU!
BOB, I LOVE YOU BROTHER & WILL NEVER FORGET YOU , YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART & PRAYERS. IT’S AN HONOR TO HAVE KNOWN YOU & A PRIVILGE TO HAVE CALLED YOU A FRIEND. IT IS TIME TO REST MY FRIEND,PLEASE DO SO IN PEACE!THIS IS NOT GOODBYE, THIS IS SEE YA LATER MR SCHLAGER!!!YOUR FRIENDS,
LEE Jr,SERENNA & Katlynn
SAUERS
Vicky I’m sorry for your loss,Bob was a great guy to work with and to just be around. I’m very glad to have met Bob and to have become a freind of his. I really miss him at our work. Bob you will be greatly missed. With love Don Woodford
Vicki: We are so saddened to hear about Bob. We are in Arizona for the winter but wanted to extend our sympathy to you on your loss.
Sarge, I’m gonna miss you. You were a good man and I’ll miss our conversations, good and bad, at the VFW. Proud to call you a friend. Rest in Peace my brother.
I remembered Bob in Saigon during the Fall of Saigon. His page on our WebSite is: http://www.fallofsaigon.org/schlager.htm. Bob was on the last chopper out of Saigon. The last time I saw him was at a People’s Magazine Interview in San Diego. We all had too many beers and too much fun. I know your in a better place guarding the gates of heaven. Semper Fi Marine. Rest-In_Best.
I knew Bob for 2 1/2 years. I had the opportunity to work with him at ATG in Richland, WA, in the Quality Control Department. I have respect for the man that Bob was, for the example he set and for the care that he showed for his co-workers. More importantly, Bob was a great friend. Though my association with Bob was brief, I will always remember him. My condolences are with his wife Vicki and the whole Schlager Family. May God bless all of you. In closing, I would like to say, “I love you Bob. We will see each other again!”
Respectfully,
Dusty Butcher
Thank you for every thing Bob, and you will be missed.
I want to thank my dad for giving me love. I want to thank my dad for keeping my feet firmly planted on the ground. I want to thank my dad for giving me a love for the outdoors, and teaching me everything he knew about fishing. I want to thank all the people in his life for giving him a happy, full life. I know that he had wonderfull friends, and a loving family. It makes me happy to see that he got out of life what everyone would want. That gives me closure. I especially want to thank Vicki for being so sweet to me. You made the whole thing easier. I will never forget you for that. I love you Dad.
My family’s prayers for Bob and family, including his USMC family of which I proudly count myself one. I last saw Bob in Manilla after the Saigon evacuation. Semper Fi, Brother.
L/Cpl C. E. English, Jr.
2/7/03
Dear Vicki
Our hearts go out to you for your loss. We just wanted you to know that YOU BOB & FAMILY are on our minds & in our hearts & prayers! Bob was and always will be a GREAT & HONORABLE MAN ! I’ve known Bob for quit a few years & consider it an honor to have been a coworker,Friend/Family of his.Bob was a good friend of my fathers & over the years talked & helped me through some difficult times in my life,Bob was a TO THE POINT MAN who said what was on his mind whether you wanted to hear it or not BUT ALWAYS FOR YOUR BENEFIT!I will ALWAYS remember the countless GREAT times my family & I had the pleasure of sharing with YOU & BOB whether it be Holidays, barbecues in the back yard or hanging out at the VFW & singing songs for you two, so you could dance with oneanother,which you made an ART OF!!! WE LOVE YOU!
BOB, I LOVE YOU BROTHER & WILL NEVER FORGET YOU , YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART & PRAYERS. IT’S AN HONOR TO HAVE KNOWN YOU & A PRIVILGE TO HAVE CALLED YOU A FRIEND. IT IS TIME TO REST MY FRIEND,PLEASE DO SO IN PEACE!THIS IS NOT GOODBYE, THIS IS SEE YA LATER MR SCHLAGER!!!YOUR FRIENDS,
LEE Jr,SERENNA & Katlynn
SAUERS
Vicky I’m sorry for your loss,Bob was a great guy to work with and to just be around. I’m very glad to have met Bob and to have become a freind of his. I really miss him at our work. Bob you will be greatly missed. With love Don Woodford
I’ll keep the memories of “Gunny” Schlager on the roof of the Embassy in Saigon with me for the rest of my days. Rest in Peace, Marine. Semper Fidelis.
My condolences to our daughter Rachel, your wife Vicki and children, your sisters and all those who love you. May you rest in peace.
Semper Fi
Dear Vicki and Family. Our love and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
We have shared many memories with you and Bob at the VFW. You and Bob dancing together on many occasions… You two looked so great together on and off the dance floor!
Bob also loved to challenge me at darts…..cricket to be exact. Sometimes he’d win, and sometime I would win and he was not happy when he lost :-
We will miss him!
Guestbook for
Robert Wayne Schlager