Robert Schinderle
PORTAGE, Mich. — Robert David Schinderle, 79, of Portage, Mich., passed away Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, peacefully at home, surrounded by family.
Bob was born on July 8, 1941, in Iron Mountain, the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Andreoli) Schinderle. A loving husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother, Bob had a way of making everyday moments grand and memorable. He had a unique talent for making everyone he encountered feel important. Raised on the north side of Iron Mountain, Bob worked with his mother and brothers in the Schinderle Bakery.
A graduate of the Wilton School of Cake Decorating in Chicago, Bob decorated countless cakes for patrons at the bakery. He met the love of his life, Martha, at age 14 and married her in 1963. For their wedding, he presented his bride with a seven-tiered cake he decorated himself for the occasion. Married for 57 years, he and Martha share three children and seven grandchildren.
Bob graduated from Western Michigan University on a football scholarship with bachelor and master degrees in education and counseling. A dedicated educator and administrator with Gull Lake Community Schools for 32 years, Bob left a lasting mark on students, staff, and the community. With an open door and full candy dish, Bob stood ready to lend an ear and offer a helping hand to anyone in need.
But nothing mattered more to Bob than his family. Unable to hide his love for his children and grandchildren, and pizza, he was eager to share their educational and athletic successes with others over a slice and a martini. He enjoyed dancing with Martha to Italian crooners like Frank Sinatra and making homemade pasta and meatballs to be shared with family and friends.
Surviving are his wife, Martha; children, David (Michele) Schinderle, M.D., Amy (Matthew) Kavanaugh, Ed. D., and Steven (Elizabeth) Schinderle, J.D.; seven grandchildren: Colleen, Joseph, Nolan, Claire, Jacob, Alexandra, and Samuel; sisters-in-law, Donna Schinderle and Louise Wangen; his centennial aunt, Corlinda Newingham; and nieces and nephews, Mary Jo, Dean, Sara, Daeaun, and Kelly.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Raymond “Ray” Schinderle and Gerald “Jerry” Schinderle.
A private service will be held at Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, Mich., 269-375-2900 with burial at Prairie Home Cemetery. A party with Frank Sinatra music and martinis will be celebrated at a later date.
Visit Bob’s personal webpage at www.BetzlerlifeStory.com where you may read his Life Story, archive a favorite memory or photo, and sign his online guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.