Robert "Bob" Schroeder was born in Huntington Park on February 26, 1944 and grew up in South Gate, living on the corner of Liberty and San Miguel.  In the 1950's Bob was involved in the Boy Scouts and eventually the Explorers.  Through that involvment and his love of the outdoors, camping and hiking, he made a 30-day hike, completing the John Muir Trail, 210 miles of back country.   

Bob's close friends through junior and senior high school were Eric Erickson (S'62), Dan Senf (S'62), Dwight George (W'62), and Bill Evans (W'62).  Beginning with riding bikes through the neighborhoods to driving cars and jeeps, he and his buddies enjoyed their adventures together.  Bob was proud of the family's 1946 Civilian Jeep, with its V-8 engine and huge tires.  Altogether the family had 5 jeeps and they loved to go off-roading in the desert.  He would also adventurously drive the firebreak roads up to Big Bear. 

Bob cruised Tweedy in his '55 Chevy with his buddies Eric, Dan, Dwight, and Bill.  They even had a Car Club of their own...not quite the Semi's or Gent's, but they had fun!  The guys spent a lot of time together at the A&W and the donut shop on Tweedy and State Street.  

After high school graduation, Bob worked as a milkman and drove a truck delivering milk to homes in South Gate. He also worked at Sears.  He got married and he and his wife, Joan, had two daughters, Cindy and Sheri.  They moved to Crestline in 1966.  He was one of six men who organized the Mountain Search and Rescue and became a member of the Rim of the World Search and Rescue until his graduation from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Academy in 1969.  Bob moved his family to the Morongo Basin.  Eventually Bob and Joan amicably divorced but remained engaged and involved parents to their children.

In 1985 he married Jan and welcomed her two adult children, Sherry and Roland, as part of his family.  Bob retired as a detective with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office after 20 years of service.  During the next 17 years he and Jan worked various jobs at five national parks:  Zion, Bryce Canyon, North Rim Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, and Yellowstone.  Sadly Jan passed away.

In 2015 Bob met his partner, Donna Young, whom he has spent the remaining years with, living in Joshua Tree.  Together they enjoyed traveling throughout Southern California, taking in the sites, attending and donating their time with various church events, and enjoying Friday brunches with their friends.   

Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson's and tragically fell, causing his death on February 2, 2023.  He is dearly missed by his brother, John, loving partner Donna, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews, as well as dear friends.  Bob has continued to give of himself to others after passing.  He donated his organs in the hope of providing others a chance to have a full life that he had.  That hope has come true.  He will be helping several persons with cancer to live to their fullest.  What a beautiful gift of life he has given that will live on.  God bless you, dear classmate, and may you rest in peace.

High Desert Star/Obituaries