It
is with a heavy heart that the IAM learned of the passing of retired Southern
Territory Administrative Assistant Leslie Gene “Les” Schroeder.
Schroeder
began as a Machinist at Cameron Iron Works in Houston and initiated into the
IAM on December 20, 1967 with Local 15. In 1972, Les became the local’s
Secretary-Treasurer, then District 37 Secretary-Treasurer. In 1991 he became
the District Directing Business Representative.
In
1996, Schroeder was appointed Special Representative by General Vice President
Ed House. In 1999, General Vice President George Hooper appointed Schroeder as
Administrative Assistant, a position he held under Hooper and General Vice
President Bob Martinez until Schroeder’s retirement in June 2005.
“It’s
difficult to explain how much Les meant to me and to the Southern Territory,”
said IAM International President Bob Martinez. “He was a mentor and a friend.
He cared deeply for the members of our union, and kept his focus on doing right
for them. Through his life, he stood up for the working man and woman. Les has
a great family, and they were so important to him, and all of us in his
Machinists Union family join them in grieving for him.”
Schroeder
is survived by his wife Diane; his son Leslie and his wife Jarene; and his
daughter Karyn and her husband Robert. He also leaves behind his mother
Isabella; his brothers Edwin Jr., and Jerry; his sister Carol; and four
grandchildren and two great granddaughters.
A
visitation will be held Tuesday, March 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Klein Funeral Home
in Tomball, TX. The memorial service will take place at Zion Lutheran Church in
Tomball at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 9.
Memorials
may be made to Guide Dogs of
America. Memorial to be announced at a later date at St John
Lutheran, Mansfield, TX
