I just received the sad new from Schindler family friend Bro. Paul O'Donnell that family patriarch Bob Schindler passed away early this morning in a FL hospital.

Bob was 71 72 years old and died of heart failure. His health had been deteriorating somewhat, but his death was still unexpected. He was admitted to the hospital only yesterday complaining of shortness of breath.

I'm so sad for this dear family, who has endured so much. Bro. Paul told me Bob was never quite the same after Terri was killed by denial of hydration and nutrition on March 31, 2005.

Bob's funeral is tentatively scheduled for Friday, September 4, in the Philadelphia area. Details to follow.

Please join me in praying for the Schindler family's comfort and peace at this tragic time. I know the family is very close, and Bob's death will devastate them.

As someone who was an eyewitness of the quality of the character of Bob Schindler in what had to be the darkest hours of his life, I can tell you that this was a man who steadily exhibited the precious fruit of God's Holy Spirit.

As his precious daughter was being slowly murdered; dehydrated to death by judicial decree; in the midst of his incredible suffering, he took the time every single day to minister to others. And not just his dear family, either. He gave of himself in ways I will never forget to complete strangers who had gathered from all over this land.

My prayers go heavenward for his wife, his son, and his remaining daughter, along with all who loved him, and were loved by him.

Heaven's gain, our great loss. At least for now, until the Day of the LORD arrives and we who have believed are all gathered together into His glorious Presence, to be with Him forever.

I find the contrast between the world’s glorification today of Edward Kennedy, a man who helped bring about the political and “legal” culture that could torture Terri Schindler Schiavo, an innocent person, to death, and the true humility of Bob Schindler, to be one that is poignant and stark.

America should be ashamed, and on its collective knees begging God for mercy.

I echo your praise for the man, Bob Schindler, who was a magnificent example of a loving father. I was also fortunate to witness what you describe outside that hospice in Pinellas Park. As a family, Bob Sr., Mary, Suzanne and Bobby modeled Christian Charity and Loyalty to the world. In their grief, they displayed selflessness to those who gathered in support of Terri. But as the father of a handicapped daughter myself, I felt special empathy and respect for the way Bob conducted himself.

One of my first thoughts upon hearing of his passing was, as with you, the proximity of his death to that of Kennedy, the contrast in character between Teddy and Bob Schindler, and the no doubt lopsided coverage that would ensue from the media. This is not unlike what occurred when Mother Teresa and Princess Diana died within a week of each other. Bob may not have risen to the sanctity of Mother Teresa and Diana may not have sunk to the depravity of Teddy, but the overshadowing irony is still apparent, and the media is disposed to a similar response.

This pairing of deaths should not be lost on anyone who is spiritually paying attention. Just as the two examples of contrast just cited, when Terri Schindler-Schiavo expired, we had a pairing then with Karol Wojtyla, which also coincided with Holy Week and the unavoidable comparison with the abiding example of Jesus Christ doing His Father's Will. Instead of contrasting characters juxtaposed in the eulogy limelight, we were exposed to the synergy of Greatness. (if we were paying attention)

Family's Statement on Passing of Father of Terri Schiavo, Robert Schindler, Sr.

Christian Newswire 

8/29/09

Schindler Family

Contact: Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation, 727-490-7603

From Br. Paul O'Donnell:

 

Bob Schindler's Funeral arrangements are for Friday, September 4, 2009 - 10:00 am - 12:00 Noon - Visitation with a Mass of Christian Burial At 12: 00 Noon, both at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 611 Knowles Ave., South Hampton, NJ 18966.

 

Memorials preferred to the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation, 5562 Central Ave, #2, St. Petersburg, FL 33707

I am heartbroken over the loss of my father and yet I know at this moment he is rejoicing with my sister, Terri. My dad was a man of integrity, character and compassion who was blessed with a close and loving family. He taught all three of his children to respect and value life and to love our fellow man.

Even at the height of the battle to save my sister Terri’s life, when his patience and temperance was near exhaustion, he managed to display a gentleness of spirit. Yet it was his unfathomable strength that allowed him to shoulder up his own heartache and lead us through our darkest hour.

What greater legacy could a man leave behind?

www.terrisfight.org

Bob Schindler, Father of Terri Schiavo and Tireless Fighter for Disabled Persons Right to Life, Passes Away
By Peter J. Smith
August 31, 2009
LifeSiteNews.com

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida, August 31, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Robert Schindler, Sr., the father of Terri Schiavo, passed away on Saturday after experiencing heart failure at Northside Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. Pro-life advocates paid tribute to the man they said was a hero and "inspiration" who never gave up fighting for the right to life of disabled persons like his daughter.

Schindler, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, died at 71 years of age, four years after he and his family lost a decade-long battle with his daughter's philandering husband to save her life. Schindler is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Suzanne Vitadamo, son Bobby Schindler, and granddaughter Alexandra.

According to a statement from the family:

"Robert fought valiantly to save the life of his brain- injured daughter Terri in the landmark right to life case that culminated in her imposed death by court-ordered starvation and thirst on March 31, 2005. After Terri's death, along with his wife Mary, daughter Suzanne (Schindler) Vitadamo and son Bobby Schindler, he founded the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation in St. Petersburg dedicated to supporting other families faced with the same need to fight for the rights of their disabled or otherwise vulnerable loved ones."
 
The Schindlers, who are Catholic, have scheduled a Mass of Christian burial for Friday, September 4, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 611 Knowles Ave., Southampton, PA. Visitation hours will be held from 10 a.m. to noon. Mass will then follow.

"I am heartbroken over the loss of my father and yet I know at this moment he is rejoicing with my sister, Terri," said son Bobby Schindler in a statement. "My dad was a man of integrity, character and compassion who was blessed with a close and loving family. He taught all three of his children to respect and value life and to love our fellow man."

"Even at the height of the battle to save my sister Terri's life, when his patience and temperance was near exhaustion, he managed to display a gentleness of spirit," continued Schindler. "Yet it was his unfathomable strength that allowed him to shoulder up his own heartache and lead us through our darkest hour."

Alex Schadenburg of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition joined his voice with friends of the Schindlers in mourning the death of Robert Sr.

"His daughter Terri was intentionally dehydrated to death, not because she was terminally ill and nearing death, but because she was cognitively disabled and her husband Michael wanted her to die. She died by a slow and horrific form of euthanasia," said Schadenburg.

"The Schindler family and Bob need to be upheld for everything they had done to try to save the life of their daughter and sister Terri. The horrific reality of death by dehydration for those who are not otherwise dying was made known to the world by the courageous Schindler family who were led by their father Bob."

Priests for Life founder Fr. Frank Pavone, who was an eye-witness to Theresa Schiavo's final hours and a friend of the Schindler family since 1999, issued a statement saying that the senior Schindler was a fighter and "an inspiration" to him.

"In spite of enduring the heartbreaking, court ordered killing of his daughter, Terry Schiavo, Bob never stopped fighting for the rights of others who were disabled or medically vulnerable," said Pavone. "His quiet strength in the face of persecution and his compassion for those who were too weak to defend themselves will forever serve as examples of how we should show Christ's love."

The Schindler family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation, 5562 Central Avenue, Suite 2, Saint Petersburg, FL 33707. The telephone number for inquiries is (727) 490-7603.

See related coverage by LifeSiteNews.com:

Euthanasia Expert Shows Reasons Terri's Death was Euthanasia rather than Natural Death 

Terri Schiavo's Husband Re-Married in Catholic Church 

Terri Schiavo - Denied Rehab, Food, Water, Holy Communion and Now a Christian Burial

LifeSiteNews ...

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