Martin F. Schroeder; Army Colonel

Martin Frank Schroeder, a retired Army colonel, died Wednesday at Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks. He was 81.

He was born July 27, 1918, in Bridgewater, S.D., and grew up there. He graduated from South Dakota State University in the ROTC program. After being called to active duty in 1942, he served in Europe during World War II.

In 1946, he received his regular Army commission and became a captain. He also served in the Korean War and later trained Korean troops to fight in the Vietnam War. He earned the rank of colonel.

Schroeder retired from the Army in 1970 and moved his family to Long Island, where he became a commandant at Eastern Military School. The family lived there two years before moving to Carlsbad, where he was a commandant of the Army/Navy Academy.

Early in 1980, he and his wife, Joan, moved to Westlake Village. They started a business with their son, Scott, in Thousand Oaks in 1988 called the Short Stop Convenience Market, Liquor and Deli. They owned the store for 10 years.

Schroeder enjoyed golf, tennis and hunting. He and his wife were members of the Westlake Village Yacht Club.

He was preceded in death by his son, Richard, in 1991.

In addition to his wife of almost 58 years, and son Scott of Thousand Oaks, he is survived by son Thomas of Eatonton, Ga., daughter Jacquelyn Willenbring of Kansas City, Mo., two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Paralyzed Veterans.

Memorial services are pending.

Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Bros. Valley Oaks Mortuary in Westlake Village.