Robert William Schroeder

Please click here to view the live stream of the funeral service for Mr. Robert William Schroeder. The live stream will begin at 12:00pm on Saturday, January 22, 2022.

The Life of Robert William Schroeder

June 20, 1945 – January 15, 2022

Robert William Schroeder went by Bob to many, but also was known as captain, boss, dad, chief and most lovingly, Opa.

He was born to Robert and Margaret Schroeder and is the oldest of three, along with brothers Edward and Michael Schroeder. He was born in Brooklyn, but his family later relocated to Lindenhurst on Long Island where he grew up and attended school. He was an accomplished athlete and was awarded the Newsday Hansen Award as the best football player on Long Island, before heading to Rutgers University where he captained the football team. He was a 3-time letterman that rarely left the field and played ironman football as a center and linebacker, anchoring the vaulted Golden Nugget defense which was one of the stingiest defenses at the time.

His career took him to many places, as he and his family moved from New York, to New Hampshire, to Virginia, and Massachusetts before landing in their current home in Maryland. It was his job at McCormick that brought him to Maryland where he rose to executive as the President of US Consumer Division and served on the board directors. Through his career he made many lasting friendships that survived well into his retirement. He was generous with his time, and gave back willingly as a board member of the Maryland Food Bank and St Joe’s University.

His prowess as a professional and an athlete was only superseded by his commitment to family.  He loved and was incredibly devoted to his family.  He may have had a gruff exterior but warmed quickly to people and showed love and respect to those that were lucky enough to know him.

It is at Rutgers where he met his late wife, Carol Schroeder, who tragically left this world too soon after passing from cancer in 1999. They married and had three children of their own: Stacey, Robert, and Sean. After the passing of his first wife Carol, his family grew when he married Mary Jane (Adams), and doing so he gained another daughter, Carrie Frost.    

He was an avid boater and loved spending time with family and friends at their house on the water.  He spent many days captaining the Chesapeake scouring the rivers and tributaries on his never-ending quest to find the best crab shacks and dive bars. He loved a good meal and telling his stories around a table with his friends.    

He loved to travel and built lasting memories with his family during many vacations. His favorites were those with his grandkids. Although outnumbered seven to two, he and Mary Jane braved many no-parents trips, and developed a deep and personal relationship with each of his grandkids. It was his title of Opa that was his greatest joy and biggest accomplishment.

Memorial Contributions may be to https://inheritanceofhope.org/