Robert Schott
Word has been received of the death Wednesday (September 1, 2010) of Robert (Bob) Schott, the former longtime supervisor of custodial operations at UW-Green Bay and a “good neighbor” to campus from its earliest years. Schott retired in March 1992, but is remembered to this day for his service to the institution and its development, and his unique involvement in growing the reputation of “Eco U.” At the time the Shorewood site was first developed in the late 1960s, Schott’s family operated a small dairy farm adjacent to the northeast corner of campus. They later sold part of their holdings to the Nature Conservancy and contributed to the further development of the Cofrin Arboretum in the 1990s. The Sager Tract, consisting of 20 acres just below the Niagara Escarpment ridge, is part of that land. Schott’s barn, still standing on private property near Champeau Road and Scottwood Drive, was literally a field site for UW-Green Bay science research during the institution’s first decade. Students designed and piloted what was believed to be among the first anaerobic digesters of its type to harness the energy value of methane from dairy waste; custodial supervisor Schott hosted dignitaries and visitors from around the world who were interested in seeing a demonstration of groundbreaking, hands-on student learning. Schott was also instrumental in coordinating the new institution’s early recycling programs. Family and friends may call at the Pfotenhauer Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 2379 East Mason St., on Monday (Sept. 6) from 4 to 8 p.m. Visitation continues on Tuesday from 9:30 until the 10:30 a.m. funeral mass at St. Kilian Catholic Church, New Franken. Information is online at the Pfotenhauer Funeral Home website.
Bob Schott, former UW-Green Bay employee and dairy farmer
Robert James Schott, 80, passed away peacefully after a long and courageous battle with lung disease on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010, at Unity Hospice. He was born in New Franken, on Feb. 26, 1930, to the late Theodore and Florence (Laundrie) Schott. Robert graduated from Catholic Central High School in Green Bay in 1948. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956 and was honorably discharged.
On Sept. 4, 1957, Robert married Donna DesJardins at St. Kilian Catholic Church in New Franken. He was a lifelong farmer and operated the family's "Centennial" farm since 1966 and was employed at the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay for 30 years as the Supervisor of Maintenance Operations.
Bob had a great sense of humor, loved spending his time with his children, grandchildren, large family and numerous friends. He loved woodworking, fishing and spending time at their cabin on Lake Metonga in Crandon, Wis. Bob also loved to travel and enjoyed vacationing to all parts of the United States and in later years, spent winters in Bonita Beach, Fla., where he formed many lasting relationships. In his younger years, he was very active in the New Franken Sportmans Club.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 53 years, Donna; four children and their spouses, Gail (Michael) Abernathy, Eau Claire; Daniel (Jean) Schott, Shawano; Ann (Daniel) Steinberger, Green Bay; Kim (Grant) Reed, Sobieski; five grandchildren, Rebecca and Jessica Abernathy, Eau Claire; Robert and David Sabatka, Green Bay; Kayla Reed, Sobieski; two stepgrandchildren, Katie and Ben Marquardt, Shawano; brothers and sisters and their spouses, Ethel Mae Linzmeier, twin brother, Richard (Bernadine) Schott, Cletus (Grace) Schott, Marcel (Eleanor) Schott, Marian (Robert) Lardinois, Joan (Richard) Bertrand, Rosalie (Edward) Kinjerski, Rosalyn VandenPlas, Lorraine (Leonard) Loberger; brother-in-law, Glenn DesJardins. He is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Grace and Anton DesJardins; brothers and sister-in-law, Hilary (Delores) Schott and Andrew Schott; sisters and brothers-in-law, Genevieve (Harry) Pigeon, Bernadette (Orville) Van Lieshout; brothers-in-law, Alvin Linzmeier and Albert VandenPlas.
Family and friends may call at the Pfotenhauer Funeral Home & Cremation Service, East-Town location, 2379 East Mason St., Green Bay, on Monday, Sept. 6, from 4 to 8 p.m. Prayer service 7:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with Pastoral Minister Pat Ratajczak. Visitation continues on Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at St. Kilian Catholic Church, New Franken. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. William O'Brien officiating. Military Honors to follow. Entombment in Shrine of the Good Shepherd Chapel Mausoleum. Online condolences welcome at the Pfotenhauer Funeral Home website.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Alshahrouri and Pat Polfus, Dr. Ripp and to Unity Hospice and their wonderful staff for their care and concern during Bob's illness.
PFOTENHAUER Funeral & Cremation (920) 468-4870
(Reprinted with permission from Andy Pfotenhauer,funeral director, Pfotenhauer Funeral Homes & Cremation.)