Colleagues Thank Schoelle For Decades of Service

Robert Schoelle will retire in 2014 after working for the village of Garden City for more than four decades.

The long-time village resident has served as village administrator for the past 33 years and will continue serving in this capacity until the village board of trustees hires a replacement.

Schoelle said he has not yet decided "if and which career plans" he will explore. "Candidly, I have never given this much thought as I have always looked forward," he told Patch, adding, though, that he and his family will certainly continue to make Garden City their home.

He and his wife, Monica, have long lived in the village's Eastern section; their three children and four grandchildren also reside in Garden City. 

RELATED: Village Administrator Announces Plans for Retirement

During his tenure as village administrator, Schoelle worked under 18 mayors, including current mayor John Watras. "We wish him the very best as he always is the very best," Watras said.

Trustees thanked him for his years of service.

"Both Dorothy and I want to wish Bob and his family all the best in their retirement," trustee Nick Episcopia said.

Fellow trustee John DeMaro echoed those remarks: "I would like to thank Bob for his dedication, hard work and professionalism. He will definitely be missed.  I wish him the best in his retirement."

Richard Silver, a newcomer to the board, said the village is better for his service. "Bob Schoelle has led our village administration for over 30 years with quiet competence, grace and dignity," he said. "We are better for his service and wish him a long, healthy and happy retirement."

Fellow newcomer Robert Bolebruch added, "Mr. Schoelle has been a class act for this village. He has always given this village 100 percent everyday he has worked and has always put the best interests of the village as his primary objective in every decision he has made. I am very proud to have served on the board while he has been in office and I wish him and his family all the best." 

Trustee Brian Daughney too appreciates Schoelle's efforts through the years. "I for one appreciate all of the efforts that Mr. Schoelle, and indirectly his family, has put forth on behalf of the village during the several decades' of service. He has always been an ardent promoter for the interests of the village and its residents," he said.

Trustee Dennis Donnelly has known and worked with Schoelle for many years and wished him well as he begins "this new chapter."

"When the final history of Garden City is written, the names Stewart, Hubble and Schoelle will be the names associated with our village," Donnelly said. "Bob is a dedicated family man who has split his time between Monica and his children and grandchildren and the citizens of our village. Through his efforts Garden City has always been a first-class village just as Bob is a first-class guy."

Trustee Andrew Cavanaugh said Schoelle has served as a "mentor and guide for mayors, trustees and village staff" through "several generations of village governance."

"The very texture of Garden City as a peerless community in which to reside or do work is in no small part the result of Bob's expert, quiet and collegial leadership," trustee Cavanaugh told Patch.

Friend and colleague Althea Robinson considered Schoelle a "breath of fresh air" when he became village administrator. "Bob Schoelle has been 'one in a million' for the Village of Garden City," she said.

Throughout the past 33 years, Robinson has worked with Schoelle in many capacities, including the Garden City Chamber of Commerce, of which she is executive director.

"A true professional, Bob is the epitome of a gentleman," she said. "I also believe him to be an unsung hero. Few may know of the time and volunteer efforts he has contributed to the village’s overall well-being since these efforts are quiet, without fanfare."

A member of the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club since 1982, for which he now serves as president, Robinson said Schoelle's efforts toward Rotary’s charitable services within the village and beyond are well known to his fellow Rotarians.

"I think it is not enough to say that Bob Schoelle will be sorely missed in his long-time position as village administrator," Robinson said.