by Kathi Stearns

Retired Army Maj. Gen. Robert H. Schellman of Marietta, a veteran infantry commander who, in retirement, devoted himself to the Serra Clubs’ vocations work, died in New Orleans on Jan. 16. He was 79.

“He worked tirelessly for vocations in the archdiocese, promoting the Called By Name program in many parishes. His death is a great loss to the vocations office and to me personally,” Father Don Kenny, director of vocations, said.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Jan. 20 at Holy Family Church in Marietta. Interment with full military honors was at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs.

Schellman was chairman of the formation group that established the North Metro Serra Club. He later served as club president and trustee. As governor of Serra’s 18th District Schellman represented the Archdiocese of Atlanta in preparation for the October 1987 World Synod of Bishops on the vocation and mission of the laity in the church.

Schellman received recognition for his leadership and coordination efforts in many Serra programs, including its day of recreation for clergy, Called By Name, family payer and parish vocations committees.

A Papal Knight of the Orders of St. Sylvester and St. Gregory, Schellman assisted with the administration, budgeting and coordination of maintenance at Holy Family Church. He believed in the need for adult education programs with substance and continuity and a larger role for the laity in administration to free the priests and Religious for ministry.

“Bob was a fine man. He was a very honest and upright man who lived his faith not just on Sunday but everyday,” Father Paul Fogarty, pastor of Holy Family, said.

Schellman was born August 14, 1914 in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Clemence and Rozella Schellman. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1939 and retired Sept. 1, 1971. He fought in World War II as an infantry battalion commander in the European Theater. His battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for the capture of the Schammanuel Dam during the 1948 spring offensive and was the first infantry unit to cross the Rhine River at Remagen, Germany.

Among other significant assignments were the Berlin Command Staff in 1945; Army General Staff at the Pentagon; Deputy Commanding General 1st Infantry Division and Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division in Europe. Schellman’s final assignment was Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Continental Command in Virginia. Included in his decorations are the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the “V” for Valor, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the French and Belgium Croix de Guerre.

He is survived by his wife, Helen Aycrigg Schellman; five sons, Robert Jr., William F. and Richard P., all of Marietta, James M. of Arlington, Va., and John C. of Atlanta; three daughters, Helen S. Lobley of Australia, Pamela S. Fleming of Mansfield, Ohio, and Deborah Ann Seymour of Winchester, Mass.; a sister, Martha Rames of Savannah; 21 grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home, P.O. Box 6805, Atlanta 30315 or Serra Seminarian Fund, c/o Dave Stenglein, 155 Boulder Dr., Roswell 30075.