Robert (Bob) W. Schaich passed away on October 12th, 2011 at Parkwest Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee after a long and happy life. Born May 9th, 1923 and raised in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, he joined the Army and served in Los Alamos, New Mexico working on the nuclear project. After the war, he went back to college and graduated from Penn State University with a chemical engineering degree. He married his first wife, Jean Ross, and moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee to work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His job as Radioisotope Process Group Leader involved shipping isotopes all over the world to hospitals and research facilities. He retired with over 30 years of employment at ORNL. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, gardening and was a die hard UT and Penn State fan. He was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Jean and his brother Al Schaich and a child Robert Schaich. His survivors include his current wife, Helen Schaich; a half brother Richard Gasmire of Ft. Myers, FL; a daughter Peggy Hamilton, her husband Kirby of Cookeville, TN; grandson Jason and wife Ashley of Knoxville and great grandchildren Claire and John Kirby; son Charles R. Schaich and wife Sharon of Lenoir City, TN and grandsons Nathan and Patrick; daughter Barbara Wiggins and husband Robert W. Wiggins Jr., of Asheville, NC and grandson Robert (Bob) Wiggins III; and daughter Joanne Ward and husband Cecil Ward and step-grandson Hunter Ward. His stepfamily includes Steve Lobertini and wife Dianne; step daughter Susan Lobertini; and stepdaughter Marcia and David Bouska and family.
The family will receive friends on Friday, October 14th, 2011 from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. with Funeral Service immediately following at Highland West Funeral Home, Sherrill Boulevard. Contributions in Bob's name should be made to the charity of your choice. Mr. Schaich's online register book is available at highlandmemorialparks.com. HIGHLAND WEST MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME: 865-693-9547
