Friends and Members of Historic First Lutheran:
As I anticipated yesterday when I mailed an email to many of you, my Grandpa, Marvin Schaar, was granted his eternal rest late this morning. A member of Historic First Lutheran since 1998, he will be missed by me not only as my Grandfather, but as one of my great cheerleaders in life, and a faithful "sitter" in the front pew on the pulpit side of the church.
Human faults aside, Grandpa has always been there for all of his family always. I have been recalling some very special times, like the time I was able to arrange to fly with my grandparents first class from St. Louis to Los Angeles for my sister's college graduation. There had been an airline mixup and I pulled some strings to get us bumped up to first class (the clerical collar helps sometimes) and what fun to sit a row behind them and watch them catered to hand and foot, probably the only time they ever flew first class. They were in California for my high school and college graduations as well as for my ordination and installation services.
My fondest memory -- and probably a most unusual one -- is presiding over Grandpa's marriage to Jackie Middleton in 2005. How many grandsons get that opportunity????
Comforting me -- and all of us -- at this time is my personal and pastoral visit with him yesterday, reminding him of some of his favorite Scripture passages: Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 23, John 14:1-6, Revelation 2:10. Having literally just returned from vacation just hours before, I didn't have a Bible present with me so recited all those from memory and was amazed that his lips mouthed the words right along with me, letting me know I hadn't missed one word. At the end, I reminded him that the crown of glory was soon to be placed on his head and he said he was ready.
Grandpa was preceded in death by my Grandma Grace (his wife of 60 years and 1 week) in 1999. He was also preceded by a sister, a brother and two infant children. Besides his wife Jackie, Grandpa is survived by four adult children: The Reverend Gerald and Dr. Sue Schaar of Seal Beach, CA; Dennis and Karen Schaar of San Dimas, CA; Ronald Schaar of San Antonio, TX; and Debbie and Gary Spagnuolo of Fowlerville, MI. There are also four grandsons, two granddaughters and three great-grandsons.
Arrangements are pending at this time, but it appears there will be a direct cremation followed by a memorial service at Historic First Lutheran at a later date. Placement of cremains will be alongside Grandma at Oakdale Memorial Park in Glendora.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Endowment Fund of Historic First Lutheran Church, 808 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, CA 91104
Please keep our family in your prayers. We appreciate them and all of you!
Pastor Christopher Schaar