Many of you who read this won’t know me but, I have considered Bob one ,if not my best, friend in life. My name is Joe Diesko and I first met Bob in Grade School at Our Lady of Lourdes. We were rivals in math class, always competing to be the first done on tests and on score. Kind of nerdy. I was always held after school for talking and cutting up in class mostly to and with Bob. He seemed to know how to avoid getting caught more than I did. We hung out so much and just talked a lot. Bob was way more confidant than I was. He kind of liked getting in other kids’ faces. Mostly the public school kids at little league games and pickup football up at Lourdes. We made each other laugh so much. Middle school with Bob was so much fun. I never understand the stories one reads about how hard middle school was but they didn’t have a friend like Bob. Bob is the one that convinced me to play football in 8th grade. My Dad didn’t think I had what it takes to play but I did anyway and we both made the league all star team and destroyed everyone we went up against. I remember Bob hitting a kid in an All star matchup and breaking his leg. So from there we went on to play at O’Hara and were co-captains our senior year. Bob was a born leader but I never really knew how I got picked. I often wondered if Bob suggested me as co-captain to Denny Staub. We were good athletes and we did well. Bob went on to play at Saint Marys of the Plains in Dodge City and I played for a year at Kansas State. I can think of story after story of episodes I shared with Bob. We delivered phone books in the summer probably 5th or 6th grade. His mom drove us around as we took the books door to door. He always took the houses with mean dogs because I was afraid of barking dogs. There was the time his mom had to take us to the west bottoms to load up the phone books and she freaked out when she got caught in downtown traffic and Bob had to yell at her to get her to calm down after she let go of the wheel and started screaming. I was impressed that he did that. Bob’s dad was also a unique and dominating individual. He definitely scared me but Bob, amazingly, wouldn’t take any shit from him even if he got punished for it. Kind of like Cool Hand Luke before the movie came out. Anyone that knew Bob’s dad would know what I am talking about. He was a scary dude. His mom helped us get jobs at Research Hospital the summer we were 16. Bob worked the counter in the cafe and I washed dishes in the back for the hospital kitchen. Lots of stories from that. My sister reminded me of the time he came to our basement in 8th grade so she could teach us how to dance in preparation for CYO dances. Going to the “Happenings” at the Nelson Gallery Park on the plaza and getting in fights with other kids who thought they were tougher than us. We didn’t start any but always won or at least scared them away. Playing endless tennis down at the clay courts on the plaza. I hadn’t stayed close to Bob over the years. Bob went to Jeff City, I took 6 years to graduate college and then went overseas for a while then when I settled back down in KC I traveled so much that I was rarely around but when we did connect it was always like we never were apart. We would start to laugh and give each other a hard time immediately. That’s the magic of old friends. Other than my Dad, Bob was the most important man in my life through my early years. I had some mentors in my professional career but Bob was always so smart and logical and fun and adventurous. He was my friend but I always felt like the Tonto to his Lone Ranger persona. I was shy as a youngster but I credit Bob for making me open up. I wish I was a better writer and could more poetically express my feelings for Bob. He was and is very special to me and I count his friendship a true blessing in my life. Everyone should be so blessed. I know a friend like Bob doesn’t come along for everyone and don’t know what I did to deserve him but he made my life so much better for being part of it.

I am not sure if Bob joined our class in third or fourth grade but he made the biggest impact of any person. He was such a presence and the perfect compliment to Mike Rooney on our school’s basketball team. Bob was very intelligent, one of those math guys. Joe Diesko told me the other day that they used to race against each other with the multiplication tables. I haven’t seen Bob since graduation from high school, but we played football together while in grade school and then through O’Hara. We carpooled with Mike and Joe and the four of us ate lunch together for the four years of high school. I regret not getting to see him last fall when we should have had our 50th high school reunion. I also regret not being able to discuss military history with him- one of my favorite subjects. Bob’s death while terribly hard for the family is just the completion of the circle. Life and Death are the same. Just remember he will never really be gone. Everything he did in our lives together remain within us and Bob’s voice will still be heard by his family and friends in quiet moments. I’m sure Bob is with his God now and therefore remains with us still. So long Bob you were a giant; always someone to look up to and respect. Bill Arthur

Lit a candle in memory of Robert Eugene Schallenberg

Lit a candle in memory of Robert Eugene Schallenberg

Like many of the people that worked in our field, I knew Bob for more than 30 years (back when he had a beard). We first met in July 1990 and I knew from the start that he was extremely intelligent, funny and a good listener. He genuinely seemed to enjoy helping people with whatever problem that they brought to him. We often worked together and more often socialized together along with many of our co-workers and friends over the years. I think that the best tribute I can give to him is that I was fortunate to have known him and to call him my friend. He will be missed. Ted Robertson

Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

It was a shock to learn of Bob’s passing. I have known him since the early 80’s when Randy Hubbs worked for the PSC. Smart, funny, with a dry wit pretty much described Bob. I can still hear his laugh! In recent years I enjoyed running into him at the Governor (Hotel) Office Building and catching up. Sending sincere condolences to Bob’s family. May his memory always be a blessing.

Prayers and condolences to Bob‘s family. All of us at Chez Monet thought the world of him and always looked forward to his daily visits to the café. He loved picking up special treats for his coworkers as well as treats for his beloved dogs. He will be missed..

Sending our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. We love you schall family – sleyster family

I remembered being so intimidated by Bob when I joined to the PSC in 2009; I quickly learnt he was the most down to earth person I would have ever interacted and come to know. He would always break the ice by making some jest about himself. I keenly remember the day he returned to work after recovering from a health scare, upon seeing in him in the elevator I asked,  “Bob, how are you doing? Are you feeling okay? To which he quickly quipped, “Jermaine, I am doing better than I deserve.” That was Bob..a witty fount of knowledge! I wished I would have gotten the chance to see him again and talk about the “14+ dogs” he cared for at his house. Professionally, I admired Bob for his humility, his intelligent mind, stoic disposition and his committment to the job. I am very happy for the opportunity of knowing Bob and send my deepest condolences to his loved ones.

Lit a candle in memory of Robert Eugene Schallenberg

Prayers and condolences to Bob’s family. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Bob since our years at O’Hara high school. Bob was a three sport athlete in HS. We played together on the football and track teams. After graduating college we continued to play men’s recreational football and softball for many years. Bob was directly responsible for inviting me to apply for employment with the Mo. Public Service Commission. I spent 25 years working with Bob at the Mo. PUC. Bob had the rare combination of one of the sharpest minds of anyone I’ve met in my career and a tremendous sense of humor that he brought to work every day. His most admirable quality was his 100% commitment to every activity he was involved in; work or recreation. Bob was a true competitor. At work, Bob was never to busy to take time to discuss regulatory issues with other PUC auditors. I and all who made a career in utility regulation are in debt to Bob Schallenberg for the wealth of knowledge gained from working with Bob at the Mo. PUC. I have many fond memories of my association with Bob and will miss him greatly.

Steve, you are spot on! God bless!

I was only 21 years old when I started my auditing career in 1989. I only worked with Bob for 5 years from 1989 to 1994, but he left a big impression on a young guy like me. You don’t run into many gregarious and entertaining accountants, but Bob was one of them. He had this great aura of a guy that was confidently in control and knew the best way to attack any issues on the audits. Everyone looked to Bob to lead the way. I think my personality developed a lot from being around Bob both at work and fun times on the road in places like Topeka, KS, St. Louis, and of course, Jefferson City. What a character and great guy to be around – he will be missed.