Bob was born in Gary, Ind., July 12, 1930, to William and Martha Schenker. He graduated from Lane Technical High School in Chicago in 1947 and went on to Wright Junior College, where he studied journalism.
His wife wrote: "In 1949, he was lured to the 49th state by his three brothers. He volunteered for enlistment into the U.S. Army and served over five years in the active reserve with the Alaska Railroad Reserve Battalion. During this period he worked heavy construction for J B Warrack. After an honorable discharge in 1954, he was hired by Spenard Builders as their first employee and remained there until he founded Arrow Lumber in 1958 at the age of 28. Under his guidance and management, Arrow became a successful reality and thriving business. He sold his interest in 1967 and went to work for the state of Alaska as director of supply, moved up to deputy commissioner of public works in 1969 and finally executive director of Alaska State Housing Authority in 1970. During this time he met his wife Cherry.
They were married Feb. 14, 1971. "Bob went back into private enterprise and managed McGrath Corp. and developed Russian Jack Subdivision. Upon its completion, he was hired by Penco Inc. as general manager where he remained until 1973 when he was hired as president and general manager of Calista Corp. Bob's accomplishments with Calista were many. He negotiated with Shell Oil for an extensive hydrocarbon exploration program on Calista lands which resulted in substantial revenue for the corporation; he negotiated the successful selection of seven million acres of land entitlement for the regional and 57 village corporations; he established and developed Settlers Bay of Wasilla; negotiated the purchase of a block of Anchorage downtown real estate and the construction of the Sheraton Hotel; established ESCA-TECH, a scientific land management system; purchased the "Calista Sea," a 108-foot vessel for king and Tanner crabbing in the Bering Sea; purchased R&R Travel Agency; and directed the management of all funds received from the federal government on behalf of the corporation. "In 1979, he accepted a position with P & J Real Estate as a broker and management consultant. He ended his career with Alaska State Housing in 1998 after 10 years of service.
"In 2002, Bob moved to his land at Pinnacle Mountain with his wife, Cherry, and developed their property into a 3,000 square-foot raised bed vegetable garden, a tomato greenhouse, a 4,000 square foot lawn with flowers gracing it all. He loved working in his garden and greenhouse with his three favorite companion shelties, Regis, Raider and Rondy."
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Cherry; sons Robert, Richard, Roderick, Shane and Rhone; daughters Debrann, Stephany, Kirsten and Betsy and 16 grandchildren.
As Shane and Rhone spoke of their father, they related "Dad never quit aspiring for knowledge and never lost his longing for life."
His wife related "I have been blessed for 38 years knowing this man and learning of his many attributes, acquiring only some of his knowledge and truly enjoying his stories, his company, but mostly, his love."
Condolences and donations in his memory can be sent to P.O. Box 236, Sutton 99674.
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