Carl "Roy" Schleier

Carl R (Roy) Schleier left us on September 15, 2024. He bravely made his way through this world after losing his wife, Yvonne M (Bunny) Schleier in 2010. 

Roy possessed an irrepressible spirit and a curiosity about life and people. He was born June 11, 1934, in Syracuse, NY, which I understand was a really nice spring day. Roy had very fond memories of growing up during the depression and in the WWII-era world with his father, Carl F Schleier, a German immigrant, his mother Mary, and sister Joan.

He was compelled to join the US Army in the mid 1950’s where he kept the world safe for democracy by spending one year out of a two-year commitment traveling through Germany as an escort for the Army theatre company. Lederhosen and very strong beer were involved. 

After returning to the US, he attended Madison Business College in Madison, WI, where he attained a business degree. Soon after, he began his career in sales as a representative for a cigarette company. It was in this role that he met my mother Yvonne M (Bunny) Schleier in the most Hollywood “meet-cute” way possible by literally tripping her as she worked in the grocery store where he was bent over restocking inventory. This happy accident inevitably led to matrimony on Feb 22, 1961. 

Roy and Bunny adopted three children while living on the East Coast: Eric C (Rick) Schleier (1965-1997), Theresa A Beck, and my own self, Christina M White. Roy’s ever-expanding career brought us all to Northern California in 1976, specifically Tracy (simultaneously in the East Bay Area and the Central Valley) where he and Bunny lived until moving to Salem, Oregon in 2005.

Roy planned many adventurous vacations for his family which usually included an eclectic hybrid of camping, amusement parks, sightseeing, and a bit of fine dining. These epic explorations generally involved leaving the house at crack of dawn (arriving at the park at 6am with a cooler full of sandwiches, frozen Snicker bars, and a rainbow of Shasta soda flavors) thus ensuring that we would always be the first in line, grogginess notwithstanding.

Roy worked as a regional sales manager for Brach’s Wholesale Candy company for a large part of his career. This ensured that the Schleier household was always loaded to the gunwales with boxes and bags of candy samples (much to the delight of our family dentist). His final job before retirement as a security manager at Chevron Corporation in San Ramon, CA was his favorite. All his colleagues and employees over the years enjoyed his mentorship and camaraderie. 

Much of Roy’s early retirement was spent taking meticulous care of my mother Bunny after she became ill. Even so, he was engaged in local senior community center activities, participated in the Western Oregon University Emeritus Society, regularly attended concerts at Corbin College and plays at Willamette University, and could often be found cheering on his favorite softball and soccer teams at Blanchett High School where he was identified as their “Number One Fan” several years in a row.  

He lived independently right up until age 89, when he decided to move to Madrona Hills Retirement Community. He continued to be active and social there as well, having lunch with his friends, enjoying sightseeing trips, playing cards and games, and wringing every last bit of joy out of life. 

Life-wise, Roy never left anything on the table. He was engaged, alert, and on point every day of his life. He loved a good argument as well as a mild conflict. As a “control enthusiast”, Roy was organized and meticulous and one of the most resourceful people I have ever known.  He was generous, thoughtful, and a good listener, even when he disagreed with us (which was often). 

Roy will be missed every day by me, his son-in-law Randy, and his daughter Theresa. He is survived by his sister Joan Phillips, his grandchildren Brian Schleier, Mary King, Orion Bernal, Echo Bernal and Ethan Beck and his great grandchildren Elizabeth, Emilia and Easton.