Robert Donald Schoeckert, 84

Dec. 21, 1931 — Feb. 3, 2016

Born in Milwaukee, Wis., to Melvin Schoeckert (father) from Watertown, Mich.. and Loretta Gruitt (mother) from Milwaukee.

He moved to Wauwatosa, Wis., at the age of 9, graduated from Wauwatosa High School in 1950, was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1950 and graduated on June 4, 1954. He married Beverly Marion in 1955 and had three children, Kimberly, Douglas and Sandie.

First commission Ensign served on USS Meredith, and served on USS Alamo in 1956. He was transferred to shore duty for schooling in nuclear weapons and then stationed in Hawaii in 1958. He transferred to USS Los Angeles until 1962; became LT Commander on the USS Canberra (a guided missile heavy cruiser); and became Executive Officer on the Kennebec. He was selected to serve the USS Alamo as commanding Officer. He finished out his naval career in Norfolk, Va., and retired as Commander in 1980.

Robert and Beverly relocated in Post Falls in 1980. She passed in July 1988. He met Lucille King in a bereavement group in Coeur d’Alene. They married on Oct. 28, 1989. and made their home in Indian Meadows, Coeur d’Alene.

Robert is survived by his wife, Lucille; three children Kimberly, Douglas and Sandie; stepchildren, Cherron, Kenneth, John and David; 15 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his sister, Lois Bottoni of Ocomowac, Wis.; brother Gerald; and Mother and Dad deceased.

He was a member of the Lifeway Chapel in Post Falls and was passionately active about his work with the Gideon Ministries. Instead of flowers, please remember Robert Schoeckert with a donation to Gideon Ministries.

Celebration of life services are 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016, at Lifeway Chapel (15th and Fir) Post Falls, Idaho.