80-year-old turns 20 today

New Riegel man has Leap Day birthday

By MaryAnn Kromer, mkromer@advertiser-tribune.com
Robert “Boobie” Schalk of New Riegel has suffered a heart attack and undergone quadruple bypass surgery. He has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and has weathered more than 30 radiation treatments for throat cancer. In addition, he relies on a pacemaker.

But Schalk has survived all of that to celebrate his 20th birthday today. Born Feb. 29, 1928, he is a “leaper,” whose actual age is 80. Ann Schalk said her husband’s Leap Day birthday has been a novelty.

“Our accountant, when we had our income tax done this year, said, ‘Why did you marry such a young guy?’” Ann joked.

Robert had an aunt, now deceased, who also had a Leap Day birthday. Other members of the family were born on special days, as well. The couple’s son, Lenny, has a birthday on April Fool’s Day, and their daughter, Susan, was born on her grandparents’ 50th anniversary. The Schalks were married June 8.

“That was my dad’s birthday,” Ann said.

She served as the voice for Robert, who lost his vocal chords and larynx to throat cancer. Robert considers himself fortunate to be having one more birthday. His health challenges have left his doctors in amazement at his hardiness. Eight years ago, Ann said Robert returned from a funeral home visit for a friend who had died from a heart attack.

“Two hours later, he was sitting in his chair, and he had one,” Ann said.

In the emergency room, doctors administered clot-dissolving drugs that probably saved Robert’s life. Quadruple by-pass surgery soon followed. Ann said her husband was in good physical shape due to many hours of hunting deer, turkeys, squirrel and ground hogs. He pointed out numerous trophies as evidence. Ann may be another reason for Robert’s longevity.

“I was his caregiver. I suctioned his trach and fed him through tubes for five weeks after his surgery,” she said.

A device that amplifies vibrations from his throat enables Robert to speak in a robotic tone. He said he only smoked for about seven years before he was married. His doctors believe the throat cancer was caused by a chemical used in fertilizers. Now retired from farming and managing the former Agrico warehouse, Robert most likely inhaled dust that damaged his throat.

An army veteran of the Korean Conflict, Robert has been a member of the New Riegel American Legion for 52 years. The Schalks celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last June. They have four children and eight grandchildren, ranging in age from 3 to 29.

Just a note about Robert’s nickname. Ann said German families often used the name “Boobie” when referring to their firstborn. She said many people in the community only know her husband by “Boobie” Schalk.

With an official birthday falling only every four years, Robert has been forced to observe it on different dates.

“We celebrate Feb. 28 or March 1, depending on if the kids are busy. This year, we’re going to celebrate it on Sunday,” said his wife Ann. “We’re going to have a party for him.”