Robert Schnarr

Robert Schnarr grew up in Iowa, where he played football and wrestled for Mason City High School. Bob then attended Drake University on a football scholarship and became the school's first varsity football player to graduate with a Pharmacy Degree. In August 1957, Bob married Liz Cookman. They would end up in Morton, Ill., where he owned and operated Morton Village Pharmacy for 37 years before his retirement in 2003. Bob was an active member of the Morton Chamber of Commerce, where he served as vice president and helped organize the first Morton Pumpkin Festival. He was named the Morton Pumpkin Festival Parade Marshal in 2007. An active member of the Morton Rotary, Bob was a member of the Morton Zoning Board of Appeals for 12 years. He also served on the Morton Township Board and the Morton Police Pension Board and was president of the Morton Downtown Business Association. As chairman of the Illinois Pharmacist Association, Bob served on the board for over 30 years. During his term as president, he became the driving force in providing a new building for the group's headquarters, now called the Schnarr Building and located in Springfield. Bob was just an average high school wrestler, but he developed an appreciation for the sport that never left him. He wanted to give back to the sport that helped him become a better football player. Over the past 50 years, Bob and his wife Liz became great role models for many high school and college wrestlers. His support encompassed many schools, colleges and athletes. For over 30 years, Bob provided an end-of-the-year cookout for Morton High School wrestlers, families and friends, an event the entire wrestling community looked forward to. He supported Drake wrestling until they dropped the sport, providing financial support along with a team dinner at his home every time they passed nearby, and he was named to the Drake Wrestling Hall of Fame as a contributor and supporter. At one time, Bob belonged to the wrestling booster organizations at Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Illinois and Ohio State. At the time of Bob's death this spring, he still belonged to the Iowa and Minnesota clubs. Bob was also a weight-class sponsor for the Midlands Championships for over 25 years. Bob received numerous awards for his dedication to making others better, including the Drake University Distinguished Service Award and the Morton Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award. He was a very successful businessman who not only gave back to his community but also gave back to his profession and to the great sport of wrestling.

Awards:

Year
2016
Award
Outstanding American
Chapter/Region
Illinois

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