Robert K. Schlotzhauer, Jr of Palatine Bridge, NY, passed away to join his loved ones on January 9, 2026, at the age of 91. Robert was born on December 17, 1934, in Canajoharie, NY, the son of Robert and Elisabeth (Hillger) Schlotzhauer, Sr.

He married the love of his life, Kathleen J. Shuster, on May 3, 2003. Bob often said that Kathy was a little diamond that he had found.

Bob graduated from Canajoharie Central School in 1952. He then graduated from SUNY Alfred State in 1954 with an AAS degree in Diesel Technology, and then from SUNY Morrisville in 1956 with an AAS degree in Food Technology, where he graduated first in his division.

Upon graduation from SUNY Morrisville in June 1956, Bob joined Beech-Nut Foods Inc. with the Quality Control Department. In April 1957, he was drafted into the United States Army and received basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, with Battery B of the 41st Field Artillery Battalion (Provisional) of the 3rd Infantry Division. Next, he was sent to Fort Dix, NJ, for Specialist Training. After completion of this training, Bob was ordered to rejoin the 3rd Infantry Division, which had been recently deployed to Germany as part of the NATO forces. His orders were then changed to be assigned as temporary duty from the 3rd Infantry Division to the USEURCOMZ, a sub-command structure of NATO in France. This new assignment was to Braconne, France, with military intelligence.

Bob participated in intelligence duties as dictated by events as they happened in Europe and the Middle East, such as Operation Blue Bat in July 1958, when President Eisenhower ordered troops into Lebanon to help maintain order as requested by Lebanon's President. This event also had the purpose of sending a signal to Russia that America's interests in the Middle East would be protected.

Bob earned and was a qualified Marksman with the pistol and a Sharpshooter with the rifle, and was awarded those medals. He was selected as a guard for a US General attending a NATO conference in France. He also earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the NATO Service Commemorative Medal, the Cold War Victory Commemorative Medal, the Overseas Service Commemorative Medal, the Honorable Discharge Commemorative Medal, and the US Army Commemorative Medal.

In 1959, Bob declined an invitation to qualify to join the 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. He was Honorably Discharged in May 1963.

Bob was very proud of his military service. He began studying the various wars with particular emphasis on World War 2.

Upon returning from military service, Bob rejoined Beech-Nut Foods in the Research & Development Department. He later requested an assignment to Production Supervision and accepted a transfer in 1960 to the Rochester, NY, manufacturing plant. He was appointed Superintendent of Baby Foods at Rochester. In 1970, Beech-Nut Foods decided to consolidate its operations and close the Rochester facility. Bob was offered a position in Research & Development at the company’s headquarters in New York City. He declined that offer and accepted a position with the Eastman Kodak Company within their Manufacturing, Research, and Engineering Division. Kodak was awarded a patent on Robert's and others' work on the stabilization of photographic paper. He retired from Kodak after 27 years of service in 1997.

Bob was a Sustaining Member of the Alaska Raptor Center, Sitka, Alaska; a member of the Mohawk Valley Alpiners Hiking Club; since 1976, a member of the Maroon Council of Colgate University; a church council member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Stone Arabia, NY, and was a life member of The Palatine Society (The Old Palatine Church Shrine). Bob supported the Colgate University football team. He was very proud that his grandfather, an immigrant from Germany, recognized the value of education and sent all four sons to universities. Grandpa sent Bob's father, Bob Sr., and Uncle Frederick to Colgate University, Uncle Albert to Clarkson University, and Uncle Harold to Syracuse University.

Bob enjoyed traveling throughout America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and most of Europe. Bob visited several times the birthplace of his mother in Eisenach, Germany, and the birthplace of his great-grandfather, Adam Schlotzhauer, and grandfather, Charles Henry Schlotzhauer, in Oechsen, Germany. Since 1911, the Schlotzhauer Bakery is still in business in Oechsen, operated by third-generation Walter Schlotzhauer. Bob followed his ancestral roots and enjoyed growing vegetables. He loved mowing grass as it was a peaceful time to think and remember current and past times. He maintained 8 bluebird houses at his home. Bob was dedicated to walking and always tried to do a 1.6-mile walk 3 days a week. He became known as the McKinley Road Walker.

In his younger years, Bob rode the Mount Van Hoevenberg bobsled run at the Lake Placid Olympic Sports Complex. Bob and his wife, Kathy, climbed to the very top of the arch of the Auckland, New Zealand, Harbor Bridge (200 feet) in 2012. Bob was 78 years young. Bob and his wife, Kathy, went to Hunter Mountain Resort in the Catskill Mountains and did the entire Mid-Mountain Zip-line Course in June 2016. Bob was 81 years young. In 2017, at age 82, Bob traveled to tour Australia and rode a camel for the first time in his life in the outback area surrounding Ayers Rock (Uluru). He loved it.

Bob was very proud of America, its National Anthem, its flag, and the freedom of America. He considered being born in America a blessing from God, but was also extremely proud of his ancestral heritage.

Bob is survived by his wonderful wife, Kathleen, and two stepsons, Brian S. Jonker of Cazenovia, NY, and Jamie S. Jonker of Washington, DC. Also, by sister, Anita R. (Schlotzhauer) Capps of Corona del Mar, CA. Nephews and nieces: Robert (Joanna) Wales of Bozeman, Montana, Adam (Jen) Wales, Elijah Wales, and Sasha Wales, all of Mt. Desert, Maine; David Capps, Mark (Diana) Capps, Kevin Capps, Deborah (Rick) Silverman, and Lorraine (Richard) Massimi, all of California.

He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Charles A. Schlotzhauer, and his sister, Margaret E. Schlotzhauer.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 10-11 AM, followed by a funeral service at 11 AM at the Houghtaling and Hanley Funeral Home, 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY.

Contributions in memory of Bob can be made to the Ayres Animal Shelter, 133 Hilltop Road, Sprakers, NY 12166, or to Trinity Lutheran Church, PO Box 238, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 or to a charity of one's choice.