Notes for Robert Franc, Jr. Schulkers: Robert Junior Graduated Walnut Hills High School- he was the drum major and had his own 8 piece band called the "Victorians". Truly "always fair and square" - a gentle-gentleman. We were so shocked to lose him at so early an age. He is said to be the epitome of big brother - all the siblings loved him and his gentle ways.
Dad wrote and composed "Angels Never Leave Heaven, so How did YOU get in MY Arms?" for the one and only love of his life (other than his music) - in his very words and recorded on an audio file at the beginning of this webpage page for your enjoyment. High school sweethearts who never stopped reaching for the stars. My memories are more filled with the loving years of sweet names like, "Tootsie, Honey, Sweetie, Darlin', Baby". It was a pure joy to experience an evening with them entertaining in their element - they became one person, one artist then - first he would lead, then she - what a delightful pair! In we 3 boys' early childhood, he and Mom would take us everywhere, moving from town to town as the nightclub jobs expired. They played at many top name resorts like Chattanooga's Lookout mountain hotel and gambling resort. We kids were left alone most of the time at nights when they were working and being entertainers, so we were able to wander and explore much the same as the Seck Hawkins club boys did - actually more so, because as long as we made it back into the house by 2:30AM, we were "home free" in every sense of the term. With dad in the early years, we went fishing together and spent time as a family working on projects and having fun swimming and boating and being happy. We were rich in the little important things, although not rich in money or belongings. I recall fondly those days of learning how to wash and wax a car, find, catch, and clean fish (hammerhead mudcats from the Ohio and Licking rivers to speckled trout in the Panama City inlet streams). Music lessons for us kids were short lived because the parents were musically and otherwise spent of energy when they were rarely at home. Dad had little patience to teach. They were gone most of the time - rehearsing, performing, or sleeping. Mom would often get up earlier to settle down the screaming Banshees (us), because the "leader of the band" needed his creative rest. Christmases were always special times with fun for all and special presents even if there was no money at all. Trees and trim and train-sets were set up and, as always, stockings were hung for all. Birthdays were sacred events when the celebrant was always allowed to dictate the events of the day. We often moved in with Mom's parents when times got tough, moved to our own cheap little rented houses until money ran out again and then to Dad's parents when times got dependably, (again), tough; then to Mom's parents again, etc, etc, ad infinitum. The stereotypical life of the roving entertainers - Wandering Minstrels, Egyptians, Gypsy's, and so forth. Brilliant pianist was Dad from age 6, but fell victim to alcohol which destroyed his career and his life. Divorce was a sad necessity, yet a relief for us all; but they happily remarried again when the sickness was over. When Mom and Dad re-married several years later, we all got to attend the wedding at St John's Catholic church in St.Petersburg, FL. Cigarettes caused lung and neck cancers that were operated on with little effect - probably weakening him for earlier death at age 58. Surprisingly tenacious even in weak health, he came back from the doors of death several times. He became a much more attentive husband and father in his new found lucidity and was really a joy to be around; although the evident pain of the multiple surgeries dampened his old happy self.
Wish I had gotten to know him better and share the things I now know and enjoy about him. I think he was a good man, a wonderfully talented musician, and a great influence on my life and the way I am today. I see many traits in myself that are truly his. I guess we civilized humans seem to go through stages of appreciation and disgust with our parents. We sometimes look up to their knowledge and guidance and sometimes can't stand a thing they say or do. All in all, parents do the best they can since they are only inexperienced children themselves during the parenting years. I am thankful I had the parents I had and wouldn't change that. I would wish for the parents to have had a more continuously satisfying and pleasant life, but am I really qualified to judge my ancestors? I am glad they had the several unique happinesses and pleasures they did have. Dad always did what he loved and whatever he wanted to do. There is not one person in the world who disliked him or held a grudge against him. He must be in heaven now, with Mom now - Truly Angels together at last.
More About Robert Franc, Jr. Schulkers and May Marion Holly: Marriage: October/03/1938, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Marriage Notes for Robert Franc, Jr. Schulkers and May Marion Holly: They were divorced, but remarried in 1970 at St John's Church in St Petersburg, FL, with all their children in attendance.
Children of Robert Franc, Jr. Schulkers and May Marion Holly are:
Robert Franc, Jr. Schulkers (b. November/19/1917, d. May/15/1976)
Notes for Robert Franc, Jr. Schulkers: