Robert Schmauder

Robert Wilson Schmaud-er ("Schmaud"), 92, passed away at his residence in Spanish Springs, NV on April 16, 2012.

Born in Reading on Sept. 25, 1919, he was the son of the late Edward and Ida (Rothenberger) Schmauder.

Robert graduated from Muhlenberg High School in 1937 where he was an outstanding student, basketball and soccer player. He married his high school sweetheart, Isabella Kelley, on June 14, 1941. They were married for 70 years.

Surviving with his wife, Isabella, are a son, Robert W. and wife, Gaye Schmaud-er Jr., of Phoenix, AZ, and a daughter, Diann, wife of James E. Ludwig Jr., of Fleetwood, PA.

Also surviving are his grandson, William and wife, Theresa Schmauder, of Reno, NV, granddaughter, Susan and husband, Matthew Keeler, of Sparks, NV, grandson, James E. and wife, Kristin Ludwig III, of Fleetwood, PA, and grandson, Michael and wife, Gwendolyn Ludwig, of Gilbertsville PA.

There are seven great-grandchildren: Megan, James IV, Andrew, Shannon, Emma, Hannah, and Mason.

After high school he attended The Pennsylvania State University where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering, graduating in 1941. His first job after graduation was with the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company where he worked as a drafting engineer for the U.S. Navy. He was drafted into the service on D-Day, June 6, 1944. After Officer's Training School at Cornell University, he was deployed to Portland, OR, where he was assigned as an EDO officer on board ship until the end of the war. He was called back to serve his country during the Korean War as a submarine repairs officer at the Philadelphia Ship Yard. Afterwards he worked for Western Electric (subsequently AT&T and Lucent Technologies) for 25 years as a Department Chief of Engineering where he and his staff built some of the first production cleanrooms in the world; the heart of today's semiconductor industry.

Besides being an engineer, he was a Sunday school teacher at Alsace Lutheran Church in Reading, PA. He served on the church council for 10 years. He was also an active member of the Lion's Club of Muhlenberg Township, PA.

One of Schmaud's great passions was for anything involving woodwork. He built his first house in Laureldale, restored a 1734 farmhouse in Rockland Township, and at age 65 built his own retirement home where his grandson lives today. He loved to build furniture from the cherry trees on his land. He was a master carpenter.

He and his wife shared a love for travel that took them to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and most of the countries in Europe.

A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, South Home Ave., Topton, PA on Thursday, May 3, 2012, at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Memorial Fund at Alsace Lutheran Church, 2201 Kutztown Road, Reading, PA 19605.