Lois "Gussie" Schlegel

Lois "Gussie" Schlegel died in her home on January 4, 2015 in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. She was 84 years
old.

Gussie was born on June 25, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois. She was the eldest of two children born to Robert
and Helen Gustafson. Gussie and her brother Bob grew up living in a duplex that was co-owned by her
parents and her Aunt Esther Dowell. One of her and her brother's closest friends growing up was their
cousin Bobby Dowell.

Gussie graduated from University High in Chicago and went on to attend the University of Chicago,
which is where she met her husband Robert J Schlegel. They met on a blind date at the zoo, and it was
love at first sight. They got married October 21, 1949.
Gussie was a major help in all that Robert would accomplish for the next 45 years. She and Robert had
their first child, "Robert Jr.", while he was in medical school at the University of Chicago. Gussie was a mother by day and at night she would help Bob with his school work and she graded papers to earn
extra money. Gussie and Bob's second child Allison was born during Bob's internship. Shortly after this
Bob joined the Army and Gussie became an Army wife. Their 3rd and final child Tracy was born during
their Army years.

Gussie loved moving around and traveling. Bob's time in the Army allowed them to live in Hawaii and
visit Japan, which made a lasting impression on both of them. They loved oriental art, food, and Gussie
even went to school to learn how to speak Japanese.

Gussie was a stay at home mother, but she worked tirelessly typing Bob's papers and making slides
documenting his research. In 1970 after Bob left the Army, Gussie and he moved to Palo Alto where
Gussie got a job as a bank teller. She loved working. Her bank got held up, but that didn't faze her a bit.

A couple of years later Gussie and Bob moved to the Los Angeles area, where they finally put down
roots. Gussie was still very involved with Bob's work and even became the secretary to the Secretary of
a Pediatric Research Society. This was her favorite job. She coordinated annual meetings all over the
country .Gussie kept this job until Bob retired in 1993.

After Bob retired, Gussie volunteered at the gift shop in Martin Luther King Hospital, and at the 92nd
Street School. She was also a member of the board for Shields. Gussie kept on volunteering until her
health became too fragile.

Gussie is preceded in death by her husband: her brother, Bob; her cousin, Bobby; and her best-friend,
Gloria. Gussie is survived by her son. Robert; her daughter Allison; her daughter Tracy, and her grandchildren, Alexander, Kira, Brynn and Camryn.

There will be a celebration of Gussie's life On January 31, 2015 at Green Hill Mortuary Chapel at 3:00
p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the ASPCA or to the 92nd Street School. Both causes were dear
to her heart.

Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275