Robert Schultz Obituary

Robert Schultz Obituary
Published by Legacy Remembers from Feb. 15 to Feb. 16, 2023.
Robert Martin Schultz - better known as Bob and sometimes affectionately called "Dadbert" by his daughters - was born January 17, 1933 in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Pauline and George Schultz, the second of seven siblings.

The Schultz family moved to Topeka, Kansas when Bob was in grade school, and he made lifelong friends in their new neighborhood of Oakland. He would later tell his daughters stories about swimming in the creek and playing games in the neighborhood with friends who all had unique and interesting "Oakland nicknames". Gifted with a detailed memory and the ability to find the humor and meaningfulness in a story, he would fascinate his daughters with his storytelling about these adventures (and misadventures).

He attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Hayden High School, then spent time as a mechanic in the US Army.

He began his post-Army employment at Fleet Service as a diesel mechanic, and would later work as Head Mechanic at Meier's Ready Mix, both in Topeka.

Bob met and married Diana Hopper, and his loyal, calm demeanor and ability to see the humor in most situations made him perfectly suited to be dad to three daughters, Denise, Kirsten and Kris.

When he started assisting Diana in coaching gymnastics at the North Topeka Kuehne Branch YMCA, a whole generation of kids benefited from his consistent presence. As a former gymnast once mentioned, "You were never afraid to try something new when Bob was spotting you. You knew he'd keep you safe, no matter what. He'd always catch you."

This wasn't just true in the gym. Bob was a guy who showed up and gave everything his all and was always consistently where he needed to be, ready to catch whoever needed to be caught. There are countless stories of Bob performing acts of physical strength in the moment, saving the day, whether balancing precariously on a narrow drainage pipe over a body of water while holding an engine as a co-worker regained his balance, or holding a piano mostly by himself to allow others to pass over or under to get out of a basement. But more impressive were his feats of emotional strength and patience. There was a gentle side of him that sang "Love Makes the World Go Round" from the musical "Carnival" to his daughters at bedtime when they were small, and he spent a week constantly scrubbing his hands of the years of grease stains that came with being a mechanic, in order to have clean hands for his daughter Denise's wedding. He enjoyed the simple beauty of sunsets, could name almost any tree, flower or plant, babies and dogs loved him. and a perfect day for him was spent with coffee and a good book.

He was a supportive and loving husband to Diana, assisting her with her coaching endeavors in the early years and later supporting her and her Granny Basketball and Senior Olympic teammates.

In addition to being a loyal husband to Diana and an attentive father to his daughters , Bob loved being Grandpa to his grandson, Brody, and looked forward to Brody's upcoming wedding, although when the subject of attire for the wedding came up, in typical Bob fashion, he was quick to say, "Brody already said I don't have to wear a tie!"

In January of 2023 several family members and lifelong friends celebrated Bob's 90th birthday, and although he was a no frills guy who avoided the spotlight, he absolutely loved spending time with everyone that day. His family is grateful to have been able to celebrate him and glad he was able to experience the love friends and family showed.

Bob died February 14, 2023, surrounded by family. When it was noticed that he wasn't wearing his ever-present baseball cap, his daughter Denise's boyfriend Steve - who Bob had enjoyed fishing adventures and other outings with - placed his own Kansas City Chiefs cap on him, a kind, full circle gesture toward the guy who always had everyone else covered.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, George and Pauline Schultz, his sister, Elaine Skalandunas, his brother, Victor Schultz, nephew Phil Skalandunas, and brothers-in-law Jim Galvin and Don Skalandunas.

He is survived by his wife Diana, daughters Denise Lolley, Kirsten Schultz, and Kris Schultz , grandson Brody Lolley and his fiancee Allison, sisters Carol Friess and Ginny Galvin, brothers John Schultz (Judy), and Larry Schultz (Barbara), many nieces and nephews, and his loyal canine companion, Jax.

Bob wished to not have a funeral, but to honor his lifelong love of reading and his soft spot for dogs, donations can be made in his memory to The Library Foundation of Topeka Public Library and Helping Hands Humane Society.