PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (Sept. 23, 2013) — Robert R. Schoeberl, former TBC Corp. board member and consultant, died Sept. 19 at age 77.
Until his recent resignation, Mr. Schoeberl had been an active member of TBC's board of directors, according to the company, and then served in various consulting roles with TBC until his death.
"We have lost a very good friend of the TBC family and of me personally," said Larry Day, TBC chairman of the board and CEO. "Bob was a great leader, a highly regarded professional, a loving family man and a friend to everyone he met. We will truly miss him."
A native of Lebanon, S.D., Mr. Schoeberl began his career in the automotive retail industry in 1955 when he joined Montgomery Ward & Co. in merchandising and marketing management. After nearly 40 years with that firm, he retired in 1994 as the executive vice president and general merchandise manager of automotive, electronics and appliances. TBC said his "noteworthy career in retail" led him to a consulting profession after retirement, where he worked with such companies as Rayovac, Armorall and Midas Inc.
While with Midas, he served as lead director, member of the compensation committee, member of the nominating and corporate governance committee, and member of the audit and finance committee at various times between 1998 and 2006.
Mr. Schoeberl was an active member of TBC's board starting in 1995, the company said, adding that he also was a member of the board of trustees of Mount Mercy University, the Automotive Aftermarket Foundation, and was the former chairman of Lund International Holdings Inc.
"Bob's family, friends, and his philanthropic endeavors, along with playing golf, were his passions in life," according to TBC. He was a member of Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora, Ill., and Collier's Reserve in Naples, Fla. Over the years, he also served as a lector at many Catholic churches and "was a strong supporter of the Over the Rainbow Association," TBC said.
He leaves his wife Nancy Heche Schoeberl and the late Patricia (nee Ferrie) Schoeberl, his daughter Elaine (Brett) Trainor of Wheaton, Ill., and three grandchildren.
Funeral services were held today in Wheaton, Ill.
The Schoeberl family suggested contributions in memory of Mr. Schoeberl can be made to the Northwestern Scleroderma Program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where they will be used to further research and education efforts. Online donations also can be made to the medical school.