Robert Charles Schild

COLUMBUS — Robert Charles Schild, 99, passed away on Jan. 1, 2021 at Willow Brook Christian Home, Columbus, Ohio. Born on Feb. 4, 1921, Bob was the son of Harry and Mabel(Stotz) Schild and was raised with five siblings on the family's Peru Township, Huron County farm. Bob was a 1938 graduate of Monroeville High School. On Aug. 31, 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp at Camp Perry and was trained as a rear gunner for the B24 Liberator bomber. He was stationed in England with the 44th Bomb Group, and on his first mission on Jan. 21,1944, his B24 was shot down near Bracquetuit in the Normandy region of France. He was captured by German soldiers and spent sixteen months as a POW in Stalag Luft VI and IV. Near the end of the war, Bob and 8,000 fellow prisoners were part of the infamous "Black March" and were force-marched for 86 days, covering 459 miles. On April 26, 1945, he was released to American soldiers near Halle, Germany. Bob was the recipient of the Purple Heart, the Prisoner of War Medal and the United States Air Medal. In 1946, Bob married his wife of 74 years, Carolyn Williams, who died on Feb. 2, 2020, and together they made their home in Attica, Ohio from 1950 until 2005. Bob owned and operated Schild's Clothing Store for Men and Boys from the early 1950s until the late 1970s when he retired. He was active at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, serving as Sunday school superintendent and church council member. He served on the Attica Volunteer Fire Department and the Attica town council. Bob enjoyed helping with the harness racing at the Attica Fair. He was a member of the Attica Rotary Club and lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion Victory Post #260. In 2011, he was honored as the Seneca County Veteran of the Year. Bob was known for his gregarious personality, his smile, his positive approach to life and his love and support of his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by his daughter, Kathleen Rowe; son, John (Charlotte); sixgrandchildren; six great-grandchildren and his extended family. A memorial service will occur at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Attica Veterans Memorial Park, c/oSutton Bank, 1 South Main St., Attica, Ohio 44807 or to Willow Brook Christian Home, 55 Lazelle Road, Columbus, OH 43235. To leave condolences, please visit buckeyecremation.com.