I worked with Robert for about 15 years more or less (Robert has a penchant for retiring - he WAS in the retirement business after all - so I can’t say exactly how many years we worked together due to his various retirements!). 

I remember my first day  of work at The Wyatt Company in  November 22, 1982:  Robert made me feel so welcome. He was an enthusiastic worker, always with a smile on his face. He was great at incorporating new technology into our work, such as one of the infant like electronic spreadsheets.

I had the pleasure of carpooling with Robert for about four years from West LA to Sherman Oaks. We had a great conversations in the car about work, family, sports, and other things.

 It was a very generous person. He and Judy through many a pool party for your work,   Kids and, once they moved to Encino. 

 I miss Robert. ....

I remember Robert as a talented singer and a nice man.

Robert was always kind, good humored, generous and thoughtful to me and my family.  I will miss him and wish his family, especially Judy, well.  Thank you.

Robert was always kind, generous and thoughtful to me and my family.  I will miss him and wish his family, especially Judy, all the best.

Robert was a very special friend to me. We developed a bond through Singers by the Sea, and because of his special talents, he made it possible for me to learn music that I couldn't have learned otherwise. Robert was there for me when medical challenges hit --- not only for Susan and me, but he cared  really cared  for others in our group. We worked on recording projects together, sharing laughter, frustrations, and in the end, the joy of a job well done.

My most precious memory comes from almost 10 years ago. I was speaking to the singers. I called Robert down to join me, and we hugged --- we hugged long and hard because we needed to. Rest peacefully, my friend.

Bud Bolenbaugh

Robert welcomed me to Singers in August and by Fall, with our spouses, we were  attending plays at Alhambra, enjoying concerts and meeting for dinners out!  What a wonderful person, who conversed with challenging conversation and sincerely listened to learn more of the person with whom he was conversing.  He mastered the website for Singers, learned new skills videotaping and recording concerts not just for Singers, but North Florida Women's Chorale and several other opportunities over the years in the music community.  Robert unselfishly gave his time and creatively thought of so many ways to enhance the world around him He was a blessing to everyone he met.  I am definitely a better person for having had his acquaintance and friendship.  

 It just so happened on the day of his Memorial Service, I was perusing Palms Presbyterian website, which unexpectedly opened a You Tube recording I had not seen.  What a joy to find it was a recording submitted by Robert Schnitzer in June, 2013!  It was the Palms Chancel Choir Music Sunday selection of "The Prayer" which must have been meaningful enough for him to record unobtrusively during the Service. 

That lovely recording now has over 10,000 hits!  Robert's generosity to share Choral music with all will continue over and over for many years to enrich strangers worldwide. Those who knew him as a fellow choir member will be better for his steadfast belief of the power of music, so important in his own life.  I give sincere thanks that I was so lucky to have met Robert and Judy in my journey.  Our treasured memories will ever be with me.  Well done, good and faithful believer.  Your spirit and love continue enriching this world.  
 S.M.

Robert came into my life near the beginning of my career, and we then worked together for over 20 years. Robert was the most influential person on the work part of my life; he was instrumental in helping me launch my career as an actuary.  

I remember Robert as being direct, speaking his mind, and standing up to the bosses when something needed to be fixed. He cared about helping people develop their careers.  He was smart, innovative, and articulate. He usually had a smile on his face and a ready chuckle. He was very devoted to his family, and always asked after my family. 

At work, he was very thorough, and could be counted on for tough jobs. He set an example that I tried to follow.

Our contact became sporadic after Judy and he moved from California to Florida, which I regret. We all miss Robert.

To Judy and your extended family -- you have lost a great man.

Take care, Steve Vernon

I have wonderful memories of Robert (& Schnitzerwitzerstein adventures). So very sad & sorry to hear of this great loss. Sending so much love. May memories of Robert bring you comfort.  

Much love, 
Jeni Markowitz Clancy

When I first met Robert I immediately liked him. Robert and Judy visited me in Ohio after Ari and my daughter, Jennie, became engaged, and they both felt like family from the beginning. We shared stories, found many common interests, laughed, and it was just a delight to meet them.

Other than a wonderful time at the wedding, most of our interaction was by e-mail. Robert was so thoughtful, so funny, so intelligent, so interesting and interested in all kinds of things. I had looked forward to many years of celebrating with him, and am so very sad that this is not to be. I truly regret I was unable to join the family at the service, but I was in a plane overhead thinking of you. With much love and many hugs to Judy and the family.

Writing from San Jose, Costa Rica, as Robert's oldest grandchild. There are too many things to feel grateful for as his granddaughter, so I'll write just a few. Looking back on my childhood, I felt so loved by Robert, my biggest fan. I think his affection can be seen in the volume of video recordings he proudly stored and edited of me, and the long hours he spent helping me solve a math problem over the phone.  Him and Judy treated me like a princess during my many visits to Los Angeles and Jacksonville. I haven't accepted that he's gone and can't imagine that another visit or phone call isn't around the corner. Memories of our time together in California and Florida will stay with me forever.

I met Robert @ 10 years ago when I joined Singers by the Sea.  I sat next to him for all this time and enjoyed our fellowship together.  He helped me numerous times with translating some of the music into a form where it was easier to play for string bass.  For those who had trouble with their parts, he put the SATB so that you could hear your part on line.  And his CDs and DVDs each year were really good.  I will truly miss him and am thankful for the years we had together.
                    Phil Martin M.D.

I met Robert on my first day of work at The Wyatt Company in Sherman Oaks, CA. He became a great mentor to me as we ended up car-pooling to work; I got to know him as man of integrity respecting various viewpoints. He had a wonderful smile and a great sense of humor. He was a man who really loved his wife Judy and his God. He was also very proud of his family (sons Joel and Ari) and spoke very lovingly of them. I loved his curiosity about so many different subjects which seemed to really make him tick. He was an amazing actuary, technologically ahead of his age - he was the one who helped our office get into the new personal computer age, introducing us to electronic spreadsheets, etc. His clients loved him - he was so smart and so practical, great qualities for a consulting actuary. He and Judy were extremely hospitable; I very much look back fondly at the numerous pool parties that we had at their Sherman Oaks home with our co-workers and families. The world has lost a great person!

some of my fondest memories of robert were when we sang karaoke at his house. we did duets of american pie and could i have this dance for   the rest of my life .robert was a gentle soul and generous with his friendship. lani and i were saddened when robert and judy moved to florida. our condolences to you judy and your family. robert was the definition of a MENCH. rest in peace robert

Dearest Judy & family

Your sad news today shook us to the core. We cannot imagine not hearing Robert's contagious laughter again.

We remember the wonderful time we had with you when we last visited you & you so graciously hosted us.

Fun Times in LA. 

Alav Ha'shalom.

I knew Robert more than some, less than others. Besides the special bond that fellow math geeks, logic and card lovers share, I held him in the highest esteem. He had an amazing memory, a love of karaoke and music, and true devotion to his wife and all his family. This isn't to say he was without peculiarities! His love of bowls of Cherrios, peanuts & orange juice for breakfast was wacky and his punny humor was second to none. In some ways, I can't believe he's gonehe was so stubborn, I half expected him to walk through the door at their house and ask us what we were doing!

During the last year, I was lucky enough to enjoy making his mother Tutu's rum balls with Judy and having Robert judge which were better (*any* rum balls were awesome in his eyes!), celebrating marriage reconsecration  (their 50th & our 15th) at the Temple when we didn't know if he'd make it to the actual 50th,  seeing him smile brightly at me and say my name when he had few words in his last days and finding out just days before his passing that the 1957 photo of his father George and Robert in Scouting that I had sent years ago to the Scott Center at Summit (where Jamboree is held) had been put on permanent display. This time has been amazingly special to me and my boys. Robert, you lived your life to the fullest, on your own terms and with your best friendWe love you and miss you already!

We were so sad to hear about Robert's difficult final weeks. Also so sorry that he passed away just a couple days before his birthday. By coincidence, I was going through old papers last week and found an envelope Robert sent me in 1995, with clippings from your local newspaper that he thought would be of interest. They were, which was why I kept them.  Robert was such a thoughtful, considerate and talented man. We have fond and happy memories of our times with you - both back in college days plus our wonderful trip to Arizona in 2005. I also recall a visit to your home in Encino (?) many years ago; you were such gracious hosts.  May your memories of Robert be a blessing and help your family through these difficult days.

To know Robert was to love Robert.  I met Robert 54 years ago at Washington University in St. Louis.  We were awaiting the start of freshman orientation when Robert introduced himself to me.  He was the first person that I came in contact with at the university.  Robert was friendly as he eased my anxieties about entering this new phase of life,  Throughout our four years at WUSTL, Robert and Judy became dear friends, who introduced me to their roommates and Houston friends.  In later years, he and I learned that we shared similar Jewish German backgrounds with families that came from communities within a 50 mile radius.  To maintain a 54 year friendship, through thick and thin, attest to Robert's intense loyalty to people he encountered throughout his life.  I will dearly miss him.                         Frances Laven, Minneapolis, MN

Dear Judy and Family, I am so sorry to learn that Robert has passed.  I so enjoyed keeping in touch with you over the years.  We established a bond those early years in Los Angeles when Robert and Eric were actuarial trainees, playing bridge, hosting dinners, having children, sharing our stories.  Robert was a dear man and I am sorry that he has left this world.  You have my deep sympathy.
love, Sandy Ruliffson (Larkspur, CA)

Dear family,

I feel fortunate to have met Robert and had the opportunity to hear his beautiful singing voice.  He exuded such a warm and kind personality.  Robert took pride in his sons' and grandchildren's accomplishments, and showed  the love he had for his wife.  He will be missed.

To my dear friend Judy and family,

My best memory of Robert and the kids was at the Bar Mitzvah at your house
in LA  - a long time ago but Robert was just living his life to the fullest - he alway did and he will be missed.

Wishing you much comfort, love, and peace during this difficult time.

Joel and Family,

So sorry for your loss.

Lenore

Dear Judy and Ruth,
It was nice to see both of you at the HMH event the other night, however I was   immediately saddened when you shared with me the news of the untimely passing of your beloved brother and son,  Robert Schnitzer.
I am so sorry for your loss, please accept my sincere sympathy and condolences to both of you and the whole Family.
With warm hugs,
Edith Mincberg

Dear Judy, Ari, Jennie, and Joel, 

Sending lots of love to all of you and remembering the fun times we had over the years when Robert and Judy would visit D.C. I remember lots of laughs in restaurants in Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan in the 90s and 2000s, and sharing a very beautiful rooftop wedding celebration in 2014. 

Ari, I'll miss your dad very much--he was so warm, sweet, and welcoming. Judy and Joel, I'll look forward to giving you big hugs in person when next we see each other. In the meantime, we're thinking of you all and wishing you strength. -Elana, Sunil, Ruben, Anna, and Tula

Countless memories of a friendship that spans over 50 years. Your joy in life and your devotion to your family were lovely to witness. I will miss you.

OBITUARY

Robert J. Schnitzer

July 23, 1945 – July 21, 2017

Beaches Chapel by Hardage-Giddens

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services