Bernard Frederick "Bernie" Schaar, 76, of Salem, Virginia passed away on the morning of Wednesday, May 3 ^rd , 2023.

He leaves behind his loving wife of forty-six years, Linda; sisters Jacqueline Frymark and Trudy Moistner, both of Milwaukee, WI; son Matthew Schaar of Sherman, TX; step-daughter Rebecca Shulz of Christiansburg, VA; step-son Timothy Eichblatt of Roanoke, VA; grandchildren Briana Schaar, Alexis Schaar, Thomas Schaar, Brandy [Michael] Pickering, Kim Campbell, Jessica [Matt] Barton, Nicholas Eichblatt, Kristina [Connor] Byron, and John Eichblatt, as well as thirteen great-grandchildren.

Bernie was preceded in death by his parents Frederick and Josephine Schaar of Milwaukee; brother, George Schaar, and sister, Barbara Bach both of Milwaukee.

While deciding which path of life he would choose as a young man, Bernie enrolled in seminary school for a short time and then served in the US Marine Corps. After an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, he put himself through a technical school in Milwaukee and landed his first job in engineering as a draftsman for Bucyrus-Erie. From there he advanced his skills and reputation as an outstanding engineer for Reedrill, Gardner-Denver, DrillTech, and Terex in a career that spanned forty-five years and took him around the globe before retiring in 2013.

The consummate 'tinkerer' he enjoyed fixing just about anything mechanical and working with engines throughout his life. As a young man, he joined the crew of a stock car racing team in Milwaukee as a mechanic and even got to be the driver in a couple of races.

Linda and Bernie met in 1976 in Sherman, Texas. Both were recently divorced, and Linda's sister Shirley was in town to visit at the time. Shirley encouraged Linda to get out there and put herself back on the market; life was too short. It seemed like a good idea, so they headed off to the disco! (Remember, we're talking about the '70s here.)

Linda met Bernie on the dance floor, and the attraction was almost immediate. To hear Bernie's side of the story, she was captivated by his suave, John Travolta-style dance moves. More likely, it was the strong resemblance Linda saw to a young William Shatner that helped Bernie catch her eye.

Bernie was a romantic soul at heart. In a love letter addressed to Linda that same year, he wrote, "I see your face, your hair, your eyes, your love. It's not what you represent to me. It's what you are. You are real. You're not my dream, you are a reality; a living, breathing, vibrant woman so capable of fulfilling in me the taste of life and love I've never really experienced. Yes, I'm special. I believe it. You've said it and convinced me it's true. With you by my side I feel complete; ready to climb the mountains of life with more vitality than I ever thought possible."

And so they began their life together……forty-six wonderful years.

Golf, of course, became his other passion. After picking up his first set of clubs in the late 1970s, Bernie would spend the rest of his adult life exploring and expanding his love of the game. He will be remembered as a truly kind and gentle man who was a dear friend to so many, as well as a highly respected engineer to those with whom he worked throughout his career. He will forever remain in our hearts, and we will miss him dearly.

A Celebration of Remembrance will be held at his home in Salem, Virginia, on Saturday, May 20 ^th . Details will be made available by emailing tim@znetworx.com