Robert L. Schrag, PhD

Robert L. Schrag, PhD, died Oct. 29, 2022.He is survived by his daughters Tara (Darrin Bronfman) Boadu of Atlanta, Georgia, and Tanya (Alan) Brooks of Wichita, Kansas; grandchildren Josie Brooks of Wichita, Kansas, Madison and Harrison Boadu of Atlanta, Georgia, and Ethan and Audrey Bronfman of Atlanta, Georgia; and numerous nephews and nieces.A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Wichita State University’s Grace Memorial Chapel. Parking is available in the green and yellow zone lots. Reception following.In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the WSU Shocker Engineering Academy. To send donations: Wichita State University Foundation, 1845 Fairmount St., Wichita, KS 67260-0002. Checks can be made out to the Wichita State University Foundation with “Robert Schrag Memorial” as the memo line.Childhood/family history: Robert L. Schrag was born November 10th, 1924 to Elias and Lydia (Wedel) Schrag of Moundridge, Kansas. He was born in the farmhouse where he grew up. His life began tragically, when his mother died a couple of days after he was born. Robert’s aunt and uncle offered to take care of him the first two years of his life. They lived around the corner, so Robert was still a part of his immediate family. At the age of two, he was returned to the farmhouse, where his father and siblings all cared for him. His siblings, from the oldest to the youngest were Milton, Elda, Melva, Ruby, Mildred, and Milo. Robert grew up in a Mennonite community, where German was often spoken. They were very tied to their Swiss/German-Russian heritage and culture. His family belonged to the Eden Mennonite church. He loved going to fish at Pete’s Puddle near his farm, and going to the Alta Mill. A fun passtime for the family was playing the card game, Rook. To this day, his farmhouse still stands. It was refurbished by a distant Schrag relative. A few years ago, we got to see what he had done with the farmhouse. It was amazing to stand in the room where Robert was born. He attended his part of his high school years with his uncle Milton, Aunt Ruby and cousin Vern, and even manned the Augusta theatre projector for a while. His two favorite teachers were Vernon Hayes and Claude Wise, who taught math and physics/chemistry respectively.Education/accomplishments: After graduating from Halstead High School in 1942, Robert went on to attend Kansas State University. He majored in electrical engineering and physics. He lived in a boarding house and he often spoke of his housemother, Ma Weckerling. A fond memory of his college days was being a member of a barbershop quartet, and his love for music lasted his entire life. His professors at K-State saw something special in Robert and encouraged him to pursue higher degrees. He attended California Institute of Technology for his masters degree, then onto Pennsylvania State University for his doctorate in Electrical Engineering. His first job out of school was working for Bell labs in New Jersey. He stayed there awhile, but he missed Kansas and returned home. Around 1960, he got a teaching job at Wichita State University in the EE department, where he worked for 42 years. He worked on a few important projects, such as research on how to de-ice planes after the Potomac crash. He presented at several engineering conferences on his research. He worked for NASA and NCR off and on. Students were both in awe and terrified of him- he had the reputation as the hardest professor in the department. He was so respected by his colleagues and students alike. Years later, a former student donated seven million dollars in Dad’s name for an engineering scholarship, because of the significant impact he had on his education. Early on at WSU, a young secretary caught his eye and three months later, Patricia and Robert were married in this chapel. Patricia already had a little girl, Tara, and Robert decided to adopt her as his own. Two years later, Tanya was born. He helped both of his daughters with their math homework and they excelled because of him. Robert and Patricia loved music theatre and attended Music Theatre of Wichita religiously.He had multiple hobbies including fishing, gardening, woodworking, miniatures, playing the organ, music, hosting music parties in which he would play and sing at the organ, exercising, love of cats, watching old movies and women’s tennis. Retirement years: Robert retired from the WSU electrical engineering dept in 1995. His summers revolved around his garden, where he was famous for his tomatoes and green beans. His daughters would help him in the garden and we would all benefit from the wonderful food it provided. He generously gave many vegetables away to neighbors and anyone who wanted them. He loved to fish and and taught his kids and grandkids. He loved going fishing with his nephews Jess and Vern, father-in-law Dwight, as well as his neighbor, James, and many others over the years. Robert was a master woodworker, as were a few of his siblings. He built many pieces of furniture but his true masterpiece was his dollhouse he completed in retirement. Dad lived so long because he kept active, even up to the end. He rode his bike to work everyday and worked out at the YMCA, even in his 90’s. At his retirement home, he would take lots of walks outside. Robert loved playing the organ and was a member of an organ club at Garten’s Music. Robert loved inviting people over for music parties, where he would play the organ and sing. Robert was so loving to his pets. His last cat, Mr. Pye and him were inseparable. Robert had several grandchildren that were so fond of their grandpa- Josie Brooks, Madison and Harrison Boadu. Robert started a Math Pi Club with his grandkids, and made everyone t-shirts. He also had two new grandchildren he was just getting to know- Ethan and Audrey Bronfman. He was known for his chocolate cake, coffeecake, poppyseed rolls, and sausage and potatoes. He was very loved and close to his son in-law Alan, who has spent countless hours helping and caring for him. He also loved his new son-in law Darrin, who got to spend time with him a month before Robert’s passing. His former son-in-law, Kofi Boadu, was also close with Dad. He was instrumental in Kofi immigrating to the U.S., so he significantly impacted his life. Robert was very close to his nephew Jess, and they spent a lot of time together. Jess reports that Robert was his best friend. He was a like a brother to his nephew Vern. They were closer in age, and Robert would go visit he and his wife, Sue, in Virginia often in the summers, and that is where he had the most success with fishing on Smith Mountain Lake. Robert was known for his kindness and willingness to help anyone that needed it. He mentored so many over the years. His personality can be described as shy and quiet, and he had a calm presence with people. He also had a witty a sense of humor. Robert loved the show “Seinfeld”, and his favorite movies were “Rainmaker” starring Burt Lancaster, and “My Cousin Vinny”. He was so intelligent but humble at the same time. He would tell math jokes that no-one understood. The last year of his life he moved to Sedgwick Plaza independent living where he was cared for and loved by their staff very much. He loved when the piano was being played so he could sing for everyone gathered around. He made many friends there. Phoenix Hospice was also a blessing and gave him wonderful care. He passed away peacefully on Oct 29 at the young age of 97 (just 12 days shy of his 98th birthday). He will be missed by all.Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.