Obituary: Robert Ferdinand Schaible

Robert Ferdinand Schaible

Robert Ferdinand Schaible

Robert Ferdinand Schaible was born on July 15, 1938, to August and Stella Francis (Behre) Schaible in Pennsylvania. He is preceded in death by his mother Stella Schaible and Brother Wil Schaible. He is survived by his wife Aline, Sons Allan (Justine) Schaible, Bill (Brandi) Schaible and Mike (Charlotte) Schaible, grandchildren Megan, Tina, Amber-Leigh, Stetson, Austin, Parker, Sierra, and great-grandchild Harper.

Bob graduated from Ambler High School in 1956.

He enlisted in the Army the same year and served six months of active duty with the 416th Military Government Company in Norristown, Pa.

Bob worked as a machinist at National Aeronautical Corporation from January 1957 to December 1965. He excelled as a machinist, and was promoted to model shop in October of 1958.

In 1965 Bob moved west to start a Harley-Davidson dealership in California with his best friend, Tom Scott. Bob and Tom operated three dealerships in the first 10 years in Santa Maria, Fullerton, and Santa-Ana, California.

Bob married Aline Ewing on July 2, 1966, in a double wedding ceremony with his partner in business, Tom, and Tom's new wife, Barbara.

In 1977 Bob moved the family, now four strong, to Chino Valley, Ariz. After a year building a new home for the family, Bob opened Harley Davidson of Prescott in 1978. By 1979, Bob drew on his expertise as a machinist and founded Bar-S Machine. Beginning with a dirt floor garage, one lathe, and one son helping, Bob built Bar-S into a 19,000-square-foot modern manufacturing facility employing all his children and grandchildren and hundreds of his neighbors over 30 years.

Bob enjoyed swimming, hiking, riding his Harley, motor-homing, and Maui, Hawaii. He was a member at Grace Baptist church in Chino Valley. He was most proud of his wife Aline, who always called him "Shibe," and was the only person permitted to do so.

Bob was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2008. He fought hard until his death on Aug. 18, 2014. Bob was a true gentleman and scholar. Bob was a self-proclaimed graduate of the school of hard knocks. He was absolutely trustworthy and honest, sometimes brutally so. He was a Christian and quiet presence that so many depended on, because they knew they always could.

Funeral services were entrusted to Wakelin Family Funeral Homes. Please visit www.ruffnerwakelin.com to view and sign Bob's guestbook.

Information provided by survivors.


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