Bob Schuchardt

Robert Earl Schuchardt passed away on Friday, January 20, 2017 at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House at St. Bernards in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of almost 46 years, Dorothy (Dottie) Schuchardt; a son, Gary Schuchardt of Jonesboro, Arkansas and Rose Sigars Schuchardt, mother of his three eldest boys, of St. Louis, Missouri.

Bob was born February 12, 1929 in St. Louis, Missouri to Charles Oscar and Adele Schuchardt. He attended Afton High School where he ran track and played both baseball and basketball. After his high school graduation in 1947, Bob went on to attend college at Missouri School of Mines, now known as University of Missouri at Rolla. Bob pledged Pi Kappa Alpha his freshman year and remained an active alumni throughout his life. He continued his track career becoming a stand out athlete and setting records that stood for decades. He graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering.

Bob began his engineering career working in iron and steel foundries until 1955. At that time, he and his father purchased Carl Bajohr Company, a small foundry in St. Louis, Missouri. By 1960, Bob’s brother, Carl, had joined the company. Seeing the need to expand, they moved the foundry to Jonesboro, Arkansas in 1969. Bob and Carl opened B and C Die Cast in 1984 specializing in zinc die castings. Three of Bob’s sons worked for the company in differing capacities. Bob and Carl sold the business to Pace Industries, a subsidiary of Leggett and Platt, in 1998. While 1999 would be the year Bob retired.

Bob’s hobby was community involvement. He had the pleasure to work with such organizations as the Greater Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce, the Associated Industries of Arkansas, the Jonesboro YMCA, the United Way, the Red Cross, the Comprehensive Learning Center, City, Water and Light, the Craighead County Community Foundation, Rotary Club, the Industrial Workforce Training Consortium, and Mid-South Bank Board of Directors. Not only just working with and beside all of these organizations, he held numerous positions within them working tirelessly on their behalf. Bob served as an Elder and Deacon for the First Presbyterian Church as well.

He and his beloved wife, Dorothy “Dottie”, married in 1971 and raised a family of four boys of whom they were proud. Bob and Dottie traveled together and enjoyed their large group of friends. Bob was also a member of the Catfish Club.

Bob is survived by three sons: Kurt Schuchardt and wife, Vicki of Jonesboro, Arkansas; Brian Schuchardt and wife Lydia, of Bartlett, Tennessee; Charles (Chip) Schuchardt and wife, Kristine of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Grandchildren include: Christy Frank and husband, Robert (Rob) of Little Rock, Arkansas; Kyle and Kirby Schuchardt, both of Jonesboro, Arkansas; Jordan Schuchardt of Bartlett, Tennessee and Charles (Case) and Anne Elise Schuchardt of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Bob is also survived by his brother Carl and wife, Sandy Schuchardt of Gulf Shores, Alabama. Additional survivors include nephews Craig Schuchardt of Atlanta, Georgia and Clay Schuchardt of Memphis, Tennessee along with their families.

Visitation will be 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.Tuesday in Emerson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Stephen Moody officiating. Private burial will precede the memorial service.

Active pallbearers include Kurt Schuchardt, Brian Schuchardt, Charles Schuchardt, Carl Schuchardt, Craig Schuchardt and Clay Schuchardt. Honorary pallbearers include members of the City Water and Light Board of Directors.

For lasting memorials, it is asked consideration be given to the Craighead County Community Foundation Hunger Fund, 407 Union Street, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401 or other local charity of the donor’s choice.