Robert J. “Bob” Schneider, 78, Dickinson, lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at the St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson. Bob’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Monday, December 5, 2011 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Jeff Zwack as the celebrant. Inurnment will take place at the Meadowlark Cemetery, on the Schneider farm southwest of New England. Military honors will be provided by the Dickinson Honors Team following the Mass. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday at Ladbury Funeral Service, with a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., with Deacon Jerry Volk presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.

Robert “Bob” was born April 4, 1933, to Frank and Pauline (Kruzich) Schneider of Rhame.  He graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School, New England in 1950.  After high school, Bob went to work on the Stuber Ranch for a few years and then moved to Dickinson where worked for a short time at Montana Dakota Utilities before drafted by the US Army in 1957.  He proudly served his country for two years, before going back to work for MDU.

Bob married Mary Ellen Fiedler on Oct. 21, 1967, in Dickinson and raised three children William, Steve and Pauline.  Bob retired from MDU after 34 years as the construction supervisor for the natural gas department. During his time at MDU, he also farmed during the spring/summer nights and on the weekends.  He finally retired from farming at the age of 75.

Bob believed strongly in giving back to the church and the community by volunteering his time for the Catholic School System, Knights of Columbus, and the Stark County Farm Bureau. He was a very active member of these organizations, and often would hold positions on the school board, as well as board positions for the other two organizations.

Robert is survived by his wife, Mary; sons William, Anchorage, Alaska and Stephen, Minneapolis, Minn.; daughter Pauline, Fargo; grandson Nick Paff , Fort Bragg, N.C.; and brother Harold (Norma), Bismarck.  Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Pauline; his sister Helen Hill; and his granddaughter Taren Paff.