Roland (the “General”) Schoenhoff passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on July 8th, 2024. He was preceded in death by his mother Anna, his twin sister Mary Ann, and his beloved wife Joan (nee Pairn). Beloved father of Michael (Jane) Schoenhoff, Patrick (Barb) Schoenhoff, and Jim (Kristin) Schoenhoff, loving grandfather to Kristen (Phillip) Liesenfeld and Spencer Schoenhoff, dear brother to Doris Schoenhoff, Brother-in-law, Uncle, and Friend to many.
Roland, along with his twin sister Mary Ann, were born in Saint Louis, Missouri in 1937, with their younger sister Doris joining the family in 1942. Shortly afterwards, their mother Anna found herself left to raise three children on her own. Working multiple jobs to make ends meet, she successfully raised the three of them in a small, one-bedroom home in St. John, Missouri. All three did well in school and went on to earn advanced degrees, with Roland earning both a B.S. and a Masters in Electrical Engineering from Saint Louis University.
Roland began working at McDonnell Douglas and dating Joan after college. During that time, he contracted Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which attacked his nervous system and left him temporarily paralyzed from the waist down, resulting in Roland being hospitalized for 59 days ($1445 total bill). He regained his mobility in time to walk Joan down the aisle in 1961.
In the years that followed, Roland rose through the ranks at “Mac”, later Boeing, reaching the title of Director overseeing 506 employees. He was a lifelong Professional Engineer member and served as the AIAA Saint Louis Section Chair from 1988-1990.
In his personal life, Roland was a philanthropist. Offering his time, problem solving, and financial assistance to Friends, Family, and complete strangers. From repairing and donating bicycles at Christmas, to offering tuition assistance, and donating an astonishing 40-gallons of whole blood to the American Red Cross, as well as supporting multiple charities locally and nationally, Roland was always there to give back. You could always count on him to be there for you.
Services: Memorial Visitation at KUTIS SOUTH COUNTY CHAPEL 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd., Saturday, July 20, from 12 p.m. until time of Memorial Service at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, Shriners Children’s, or the American Red Cross.
Deepest sympathy.
We are sending you and your family our deepest condolences.
Pat and Barb, we are sending our deepest condolences to you and your family. What a remarkable man and we hope those precious memories of Roland bring peace and comfort.
Love and prayers. 🙏🏻
A great neighbor and friend May he rest in peace..
On behalf of the family, we thank you for your condolences. Roland touched many lives and will be truly missed by all.