Robert Frederick Schaezlein Jr.

Robert Frederick Schaezlein Jr. Bob, a S.F. native was born on September 1, 1923 and passed away peacefully August 9, 2008 after challenging cancer. He attended Sutro Elementary School, Presidio Junior High School and Washington High School. After high school he took classes at the William Newmeyer School of Engraving, learning the fine art of lettering and ornamental hand engraving. He attended classes at USF before joining the Navy as part of the V-12 Officer's Candidate program at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. Bob also attended Columbia University as part of his Navy training, after which he was assigned to the USS Venango as a radioman during WWII and was stationed in the Pacific. After the war ended he returned to San Francisco to join his father Robert Frederick Schaezlein Sr. in the engraving business that specialized in western buckles and saddle trimming. Bob and his father did work for the Visalia Stock Saddle Co., Olsen-Nolte, and other saddle shops located in town. They also did work for the Levi Strauss Co. creating rodeo award buckles that can be currently viewed in the Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Up until several months prior to his death he was mentor for his youngest son in the family business. His first wife Doris passed away in 1968 from breast cancer and he later married Christine to whom he was married for 37 years. Bob enjoyed fly fishing, tennis, friends and family. He especially was fond of the Stanislaus National Forest, where the family had a log cabin that was built by his father. He enjoyed the trees and wildlife along with playing harmonica around the campfire. He also enjoyed woodworking, creating cabinets and turning boxes from various types of wood he brought back from the cabin. He was a talented, warm and caring man with a great sense of humor who will be greatly missed but his legacy will be continued. He is survived by wife Christine; sons, Gary and Robert Schaezlein; daughter, Nancy Schaezlein-Zipse; daughters-in-law, Holly Schaezlein and Mary Schaezlein. His sister Louise Boyd; niece, Linda Boyd-Smith, and grandchildren, Charles and Danny Schaezlein, Michael Schaezlein, Jennifer Zipse and Nicholas Zipse also survive him. A Memorial Service will be held August 19th, 11AM at St. John's United Church of Christ, 501 Laguna Honda Blvd., SF, (415) 731-9333. Please contact family for memorial contributions in lieu of flowers.