Robert Philip Schoppe

Robert Philip Schoppe was born March 18, 1934, in his Mother’s family home in Draper, Utah. The attending doctor didn’t expect him to live. He was two months pre-mature, and only weighed 2 1/2 pounds. His mother, Grace Nichols, needed the doctor’s attention, so the doctor left the baby to be tended by his Grandmother. She prepared a cotton lined shoe box, kept him warm, and fed him with an eye dropper. Robert was named after his father, Robert George, and even though his father always went by George, Robert was always called by his nickname, Bob, or Bobby by his Mom.

Bob met the love of his life, Gladys Greer, during their High School years at West High. She was with a date at a party when he first saw her. He visited her the next day, and they dated for two years. During this time Bob joined the Air Force Reserves. He was underage but used his father’s name and birth date. The Air Force accepted his application, but naturally realized he was underaged, so he was not allowed to be a pilot. Initially he was sent to Santa Rosa, California for training. In 1950 his group was activated. (Yes, your math is correct. He was only 16 years old. 15 when he joined.) Bob went to Camp Gordon in Augusta, Georgia, for ‘Cook, Baker, and Butcher School’. He was stationed at Clovis, New Mexico, and assigned to be a cook for the officers. He was allowed a leave to go home and marry Gladys. She returned to Clovis and lived there with him while he completed his service. They had a dog that was very spoiled. He ate leftovers from the Officers meals, which was mostly steaks.

Bob worked at many jobs, including TV installation and repairs, construction, and managing a mink farm. In 1957 he began working for Sperry Univac, and eventually retired from there as a Manager in the Electrical Methods Engineering department. They provided much of his continuing education to be an engineer. He worked on government ordered rocket ships and was on the ground floor for personal computer developments.

Bob was a jack-of-all-trades. He was a mechanic, and a carpenter, an electrician, plumber, and an engineer, to name a few. He was generous with his skills. He spent many hours assisting family and friends with their home improvements and car repairs. He was also the go-to man when his friends had computer issues.

Bob and Gladys began their family in 1955 after returning home from New Mexico. They had four daughters. Bob was a family man and devoted his life to raising his girls and making memories with vacations and other activities.

Bob and Gladys wintered near St. George, in Harrisburg, after their retirement. There, they enjoyed bowling and golfing, and made many friends. When health issues made the trek to Harrisburg each year less appealing, they relocated to Sandy. Bob enjoyed projects around the smaller, more manageable yard and home, as long as his health allowed.

Bob and Gladys traveled extensively. They loved cruising and visiting Islands. As their girls scattered over three states, they traveled visiting them and their families often. They loved spending time with their families. Bob had a special relationship with each of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Four years ago, when Gladys passed away, Bob tried to be independent and live alone, but his advancing health issues and loneliness, necessitated a change. He moved to Elko Nevada, to live with Karrie and Dale in 2019.

On June 21, 2021, Bob passed away, at their home in Elko, and returned to his Heavenly Home to be reunited with Gladys. He had been diagnosed with AML Leukemia less than 3 weeks prior.

Bob is survived by his four daughters, Bonnie Jean (Timothy Jacobson), Karrie Lynn (Dale Hine), Margie Lee (JB Bryan), Shellie Ann, (Jeff Van Os), 9 Grandchildren, (and their spouses), and 35 Great-Grandchildren, 1 sister, (Georgia), and 1 brother (John). He was preceded in death by his parents, (George and Grace Schoppe), 3 sisters, (Louise, Irene, Sandra), and 1 great-grandchild, (Tate).

Funeral services will be held at the Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, Utah, Saturday, June 26, 2021, at 2:00 pm. Viewing will be prior to the service from 12:45 to 1:45 pm. You may watch the recorded services at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/yFv34PiA2c-X6vQin7uAkUoPtDLVxIXrXo5dxIMaLOd87XXNiZP_5Op6J-WhcK8Q.UIYWA8Ju2t406lCu A Zoom account will be needed to access the service.