Bob Schiller

Bob Schiller, whose comedy writing career spanned over 60 years, passed away on Oct. 10. Best known as a writer on “I Love Lucy,” Bob was a pioneer in sitcom television writing, and was half of the legendary writing duo, “Schiller and Weiskopf.”

Born in San Francisco on Nov. 8, 1918, Schiller moved to LA in 1928 and attended John Burroughs and LA High. In 1935 Schiller enrolled at UCLA, was a member of Tau Delta Phi and found his first real taste of writing with his humor column in the Daily Bruin titled “Bob Tales.”

Drafted in 1940, Schiller went overseas, writing for the Stars and Stripes and producing comedy variety shows for the troops. When reflecting on the war, he was always solemn about the loss of friends, but aware how lucky he was noting that, “The worst weapon I had to use was a ‘pie to the face.’”

After the war, Schiller took a job with Rogers & Cowan whose clients included a dentist for whom he wrote the billboard, “Visit your neighborhood friendly dentist. Come in before they come out.” Schiller’s writing career evolved into radio, writing for many shows, including “Abbott and Costello” and “Duffy’s Tavern.”

In 1947, Schiller married Joyce Harris, mother of his two sons. The two remained married for 16 years. Harris passed away in 1963.

In 1953, Schiller paired up with his writing partner of 45 years, Bob Weiskopf. Best known for being the first (and only) additions to the original writing team for “I Love Lucy,” many of the episodes they wrote were some of the most beloved.

They also wrote for popular shows like “Make Room for Daddy,” “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour,” “The Lucy Show,” “The Red Skelton Show,” “The Carol Burnett Show,” “The Flip Wilson Show,” “Maude,” “All in the Family” and “Archie Bunker’s Place.”

The partners made people laugh but also covered controversial topics such as race, gender, sexual assault and equal rights. They were nominated and won multiple awards, including Emmys, Golden Globes, Peabody Awards, the Humanitas Prize and the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award.

In 1964, Schiller met the love of his life, Sabrina Scharf. Married in 1968, they settled into their home in Pacific Palisades where they remained for the rest of his life. Their two daughters were born when Bob was well into his 50s, but he never hesitated in being an involved and loving father.

Sabrina and Bob remained madly in love throughout their marriage, with the two celebrating their 49th wedding anniversary a few months before his death. He was a member of Kehillat Israel and had a standing golf game twice per week at Riviera Country Club for as long as he could play.

When Schiller retired, he was as proud about driving his daughters to school or serving as sideline ref for soccer games as he was any of his career achievements. Schiller always kept his family front of mind—displaying his kids’ sports trophies or other achievements on the same shelf with his writing awards.

Recently, Schiller’s health declined, but he never lost his wit. Every question was met with a clever retort. He would often say that “words were his inventory” and his response to the constant question of “How are you?” as he got older was, “Perfect, but improving.”

Predeceased by his parents and sister Marilyn, Schiller is survived by Sabrina, and his four children and their families: Tom and Jacque Schiller; Jim and Jackie Schiller; Abbie, Marc, Ona and Charlie Gordonson; Sadie, Johnnie, Lucy, Archie and Amelie Novello; sister-in-law Shirley Trentman; and his caregiver Marva Chie.