Leroy Schroder Ii

LeRoy Joseph Schroder II, of Arvada, Colorado went home to Jesus on April 14, 2021 following a prolonged decline. During his last days, he was surrounded by his family and caregivers who both mourn his loss and celebrate his freedom from constant pain and dementia.

Born on January 22, 1944 to LeRoy and Laverne “Babe” (Storms) Schroder in Des Plaines, Illinois, he spent his childhood in Glenwood Springs, Colorado before moving to Denver in 1958. He grew up in poverty, but never complained, and was a steadfast guardian of his brother Chuck and his mom, as his father was often working construction jobs out of town. He loved the mountains and some of his favorite memories were of fishing and hiking in Glenwood Canyon with his friends and family.

A proud graduate of Regis Jesuit High School, he attended Colorado State College (now the University of Northern Colorado), where he played football and abandoned his ideas about the priesthood when he met his wife of 55 years, Kathy, whom he proceeded to marry in 1966. They briefly lived in Tempe, Arizona while he attended graduate school, but soon returned to Colorado to be near family as they started their own.

LeRoy worked for the United States Geological Survey for 35 years, earning numerous awards and was recognized as one of the country’s leading hydrologists, and an expert in acid rain’s impacts on the environment. Ahead of his time, he worked for and mentored a number of women, who to this day, appreciate his contributions to the field and to their professional development.

While he made a name for himself professionally, his family was always his number one priority, and he turned down numerous promotional opportunities to stay in Colorado. Whether he was coaching soccer teams, building “scientifically enhanced” pinewood derby cars, taking his kids skiing, or caring for his aging parents and in-laws, he was always a devoted husband and loving father. LeRoy was committed to his faith and was an active member of the Arvada Jaycees, as well as the Men’s Club at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He was awarded the Mildenberger Pro-Life Award by the Knights of Columbus in 2009, 2012 and 2014.

When he became “Papa” in 2001, his commitment to his family deepened further as he took early retirement in 2003 so he would have more time to spend with his precious grandchildren, who were the light of his life. He taught his only granddaughter to shoot a BB gun and attended numerous sporting and school events for his four grandsons.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy and Laverne, his brother James, and his son, Jeffrey. He is survived by his wife, Kathy, his brother Charles (Terri) Schroder, daughters Deanna and Linnea (Fouts), Lil Villavicencio, nephew Matt, and five grandchildren: Elizabeth Groves and Joseph, Cameron, Jacob, and Christopher Fouts.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Alternatives Pregnancy Center or Catholic Charities