Robert Richard Schmunk passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord in his 89th year. Devoted husband to Sarah Schmunk, loving Dad to daughters Debbie Ward (John), Laura O’Laney (David), and Denean Black (Ron), best Grandpa to Amanda and Matthew Ward, Evan Prieb, and Brae-Lynn and Denver Black, and special Great Grandpa to Kourtney Black. He is survived by his sister Elsie Stevenson and brother Harold Schmunk, and predeceased by brothers Reinhold Schmunk, Henry Schmunk, Karl Schmunk, Edward Schmunk, George Schmunk, Walter Schmunk, Leonard Schmunk, and sister Irene Polupski.
Robert was born to Karl and Marie Schmunk who immigrated to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, from Russia. He graduated Grade 8 as Valedictorian and completed his Grade 12, also as Valedictorian, at Caronport Christian High School in Saskatchewan. After High School, he attended University in Saskatoon. He and Sarah then settled in Sault Ste. Marie and started their family. He obtained his Master of Arts in Education in Marquette, Michigan, and continued with further studies in Special Education in Sault Ste. Marie. He started his career teaching at King Edward Public School. He then took on the role of Vice-Principal at Riverview Public School and Principal at Tarentorus Public School. By special request from the Board of Education, he was asked to be the Principal of William Merrifield Public School to restore it back to a thriving place of education. It had an orthopedic wing where he enjoyed visiting and talking to the students with special needs. He also volunteered for Telecare, a call-in organization, to help people with serious mental health issues.
After his retirement in 1993, he assisted with the building of the new Bethany Baptist Church. He and Sarah then moved to Wasaga Beach and eventually to Barrie. He enjoyed and spent many years with the Gideons International organization sharing the gospel and handing out Bibles to Grade 5 students in the Barrie area. Over his life, he spent many years in church ministry directing choirs, singing in a male quartet, serving as a deacon, and teaching youth Sunday School (Sault Ste. Marie) and adult Sunday School (Wasaga Beach).
His favourite pastimes were cross-country skiing in the winter at Hiawatha Park and Stokely Creek in Sault Ste Marie, and later at the Blueberry Plains Trails in Wasaga Beach. All outings ended with hot chocolate and a donut or pecan butter tart! In the summer, he enjoyed riding his bike and, after retiring, took up golfing, which he enjoyed so much that it spilled over into the winter months down in Lakeland, Florida, with friends. Cards and games were part of his fun times, during which his favourite sayings were “show no mercy” and “no tears”! The best times were those spent at Rock Lake Christian Campground in Bruce Mines - a week-long holiday and tradition of games, fun, and laughter spent with the entire family. He loved showing and teaching his grandchildren his Yo-Yo skills. In his younger days, he played the guitar and would randomly pull out his violin and play it, without warning, causing us all to run and listen! He had a unique sense of humour which would appear at the most unexpected times! In his quiet times, he liked to play Solitaire on his iPad or read. We often saw him quietly reading his Bible and praying.
Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa, you will be missed beyond words and never forgotten. You were a great example to us all. You lived a good life and finished well.
Visitation will take place at the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley St., Barrie on Saturday, July 12, 2025 from 1 pm until the time of service in the chapel at 2 pm. Guests are invited to remain for a reception following the service inside the lower lounge. Interment to occur at the Greenwood Cemetery, 27 Fourth Line E., Sault Ste. Marie on Wednesday, July 16th, 2025 at 10 am. Donations in Robert's memory may be made to the Gideons International organization or a charity of choice and are greatly appreciated by the family. Online condolences and memories may be shared via www.steckleygooderham.com. A Livestream of the serivce will be made available here.