Robert Schlichter

Robert “Bob” E. Schlichter, 88, of Emerson, NE, passed away Thursday, December 31, 2015 at the Pender Community Hospital in Pender, NE. As per Bob’s wishes, his body will be donated to the Anatomical Gift Program. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Emerson, NE; with Vicar Rebecca Truland and Father Roger Kutzner officiating. Memorial visitation will be held Tuesday, January 5, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Emerson, NE with a prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Emerson, NE. Bob was born on December 20, 1927 in Topeka, KS, the son of Duane and Roberta (Cummings) Schlichter. In 1944, he graduated from Topeka High School. On September 26, 1946, Robert joined the United States Army. After his discharge in 1948, he attended Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, NE. On June 19, 1949, Bob was united in marriage to Alyce Jean Nielsen at Fremont, NE. Bob received his B.A. from Midland Lutheran College in 1950, his Master of Sacred Theology from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago in 1954 and post graduate studies from Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. In 1954, Bob was ordained into the United Lutheran Church in America at First Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS. He worked in several churches during his career including: Chicago Heights, IL, Kansas City, MO, Lees Summit, MO, Tekamah, NE and Portage, WI. He also worked for the Nebraska Synod developing programs, working as a fund raiser and with churches overseas. He was a member of several community organizations including: Tekamah Industrial Development Corp., Consumers Cooperative Association of Kansas City, MO, Wisconsin Community Leader’s Workshop and Town and Country Commission in Madison, WI, and Rotary Club. He served on many boards and organizations over the years: Portage Ministerial Association, Christian Community Service Agency, Miami Beach community Health Clinic, National Conference of Christians and Jews, Punta Gorda Business and Community Alliance, Cultural Center of Charlotte County and as a Liaison for Habitat for Humanity International. Bob is survived by his wife, Alyce Jean Schlichter; children Rev. Gretchen (Nels) Ritola of Emerson, NE, Geoffrey (Peggie) Schlichter of Martinez, GA, Alison Dzwonkowski of Cape Coral, FL, Norman (Debbie) Anderson of Jonesville, MI; fourteen grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, son, Kenneth and sister, Imgogene Brunnert.