Robert Francis Schriver passed away at home in Glenmoore, Pennsylvania, on July 18th, 2019. Bob spent his childhood in the Northeast Village neighborhood of Philadelphia, loved and doted on by his parents, brother, and—especially—his sister. Bob overcame early health challenges to develop the sunny outlook that would define his life. He attended the Northeast Village Elementary School and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School, class of 1964. While Bob was still in high school, his father became seriously ill and Bob started working full-time to help support his family. In 1966, Bob joined the U.S. Army, completed basic training at Ft. Dix, and became a cryptographer assigned to a NATO unit in Germany. From Bavaria to swingin’ London, he never wasted his leave days.
Honorably discharged from the Army in 1968, Bob joined Rockwell as a mechanic. There he met his first wife, Deborah, and in 1972 welcomed his son, Robert James. Bob and his son were both blessed with remarkable mechanical and artistic skill, which made them expert craftsmen and led to countless collaborations over the years. Bob was best-known professionally for the two decades he spent at Roto-Rooter, building a career that took him from the field to the manager’s office. (To truly honor Bob’s legacy, please be careful of what you put down the garbage disposal.) His nieces and nephews fondly remember seeing Bob’s Roto-Rooter truck in their driveway and racing off the school bus to have fun with “UB.”
Between his two stints at Roto-Rooter, Bob spent several years working for Korman Communities. The experience changed his life. Bob met Kathleen, who became the love of his life and his partner in a 35-year excellent adventure. Married in 1991, Bob and Kat were as happy enjoying a glass of wine on their back deck as traveling around the world. They perfectly complemented each other, Kat’s drive and Bob’s equanimity, and their love has inspired everyone around them.
For 74 years, it was rare to find Bob without a smile on his face (though an Eagles loss would do it), and it was impossible to see Bob without a smile coming to your own. He never wanted to be the center of attention, but he always naturally became the life of the party. In his final months, as he courageously faced cancer, he would make family, friends, and caregivers laugh with a good joke, a sly comment, or just a silly grin. He maintained his bright outlook to the end, happy with the life he had lived, grateful for the people who had loved him, and content in what the Lord had waiting for him.
Inspired by the example of his father, who in his own illness had welcomed experimental treatments to advance medical science, Bob decided to donate his remains to a local teaching hospital. Predeceased by his father, Howard, mother, Evelyn, and brother, Howard, Jr., Bob is survived by wife, Kathleen; son, Robert James; stepson, Edmund Walsh; granddaughter and apple of his eye, Kendal Schriver; sister Judy (Jerold) Wright; and numerous cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. We grieve today, but we will never stop smiling and laughing when remembering our beloved Bob.
Relatives and friends will be received by Bob's family from 10 to 11:15 am on Wednesday, July 24th at the James J. Terry Funeral Home, 736 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, followed by a service at 11:30 am where military honors will be rendered.
In lieu of flowers, Bob's family encourages donations in his name to Grateful Gatherings, a charity led by Bob's niece Donna. You can mention Bob's name in the comment box when donating at gratefulgatherings.org.
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