Mr. Robert L. Schlager , 86, of Cheyenne passed away Saturday, May 19, 2012, at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Cheyenne.

A beloved husband, father and grandfather, Mr. Schlager was born August 21, 1925, in Mitchell, Neb., a son of the late Jacob and Elizabeth ( Deines) Schlager. He was one of 17 children. He attended schools in Mitchell, Neb., and Hawk Springs.

Robert entered the United States Army in 1944 and served his basic training in Camp Walters, Texas, in the 43rd Company D Infantry Heavy Weapons Division. He was sent to Fort Ord, Calif., for additional training prior to going into battle at Luzon, Philippines. While in the Philippines, he and his troops helped finish removing the enemy out of the Manila mountains. He served until the end of World War II. He was then shipped to an area near Tokyo, Japan, and served as a military policeman. He was in Company D 720th MP Battalion until returning to the United States Separation Center in Ft. Lewis, Wash., where he was discharged in 1946 as a PFC.

He married Helen Keller and they farmed in Lingle and areas surrounding Veteran. In 1970, they moved to Colorado. He later married Doloris ( Heinle) Stroh in 1972. He worked for a farmer in Eaton, Colo., Pierce, Colo., and the University of Northern Colorado in grounds maintenance until he retired in 1984 due to illness. He was a member of the First Congregational Church and the American Legion. He enjoyed being outdoors and working in his yard. He also enjoyed dancing the Dutch hop, singing, wood working and spending time with his grandchildren.

Robert is survived by his loving wife, Doloris Schlager of Cheyenne; three daughters, Judy Burcham and husband, Richard, of Torrington, Debra Gibson and husband, Jack, of Lingle and Marsha Inskeep of Ft. Collins, Colo.; a son, Monte Schlager of Grand Junction, Colo.; a daughter-in-law, Sherry Schlager of Wisconsin; three stepsons, Neal Stroh of Brandon, Wis., Keith Stroh of Chandler, Ariz., and Wade Stroh of Greeley, Colo.; 17 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Harry Schlager of Cheyenne, William Schlager of Torrington, and Lawrence Schlager of Aurora, Colo.; one sister, Wilma Word of Puyallup, Wash.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Randolph Schlager ; a stepson, Grant Stroh; seven brothers; and five sisters.