Victor Schroeder

Victor Christian Schroeder, Jr. was born June 13, 1928, to Garnette and Victor Schroeder, Sr. in Cleveland, Ohio. He married Naomi Carolyn Lutz in 1949, and they enjoyed 73 years of marriage together filled with laughter, fun, and adventure. 

Vic attended Ohio State University and received a mechanical engineering degree from 

Cleveland State University. He was a licensed professional Engineer in Michigan and Ohio. 

While living in Cleveland Vic worked in aerospace engineering. After moving to Michigan in 1960, he worked for the Brunswick Corporation, Continental Can Company and retired from the Upjohn Company in 1989 as the Director of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Engineering. 

Vic was a World War II veteran, an inventor, creator, and problem solver. He started the Vicraft Company producing and selling kayak kits of his own design by mail order. He designed and built a 6-place ski boat which delighted his children and grandchildren as they skied and tubed. He also built a 10-foot airboat of his own design. During his years in Cleveland, he added a garage to their home and built a gyrocopter in that garage. Vic was the holder of 4 patents. 

After God and his family, Vic's greatest love was flying, and he was a private pilot for 42 years. The sky was the place where he went to unwind and be recharged. He loved sharing his joy of flying with anyone who cared to join him in his plane. He was also a long-time docent at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo. 

Vic was a fine musician and played piano by ear. He sang in various choruses and taught his children to love music and singing in harmony. He also enjoyed swimming, diving, woodworking, traveling, and model aircraft building. 

Vic is survived by his 4 children, Carolyn Gaus, Thomas Schroeder (Denise), Eileen Grostic, and Victor Schroeder III (Diana). He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Naomi in 2022 and siblings William Schroeder and Virginia Schroeder. 

Memorial gifts should be directed to Saint Michael Lutheran Church and School in Portage, Michigan. 

In accordance with the the family's wishes cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, at St. Michael Lutheran Church, 7211 Oakland Dr, Portage, MI 49024, with a time for visiting beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Paul R. Naumann officiating. Victor will be laid to rest with his late wife Naomi later that day at Ft. Custer National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Victor's guestbook and/or share a memory with his family.

The Schroeder family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI 49002. 269-344-5600.