Robert W Schambach was born April 3, 1926, in Harrisburg, Pa., to Harry Ellsworth and Ann Moyer Schambach.

After serving his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a boilermaker on a destroyer in the South Pacific and Asia, Rev. Schambach received his formal training at Central Bible Institute in Springfield, Mo., in the 1940s. He apprenticed alongside the then well-known miracle evangelist, A.A. Allen. R.W. served as Bro. Allen's associate for five years.

R.W. met his late wife, Mary, while she studied at the Eastern Bible Institute Assemblies of God. They married in 1948. After pastoring in both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pa., following the call to ministry, they moved to Tyler in 1982, establishing their home base of Schambach Ministries.

"Bro. Schambach" may be best known for the great gospel tent, traveling to every major city in the United States, bringing people to Jesus Christ. His ministry has been received throughout the world and still continues.

Rev. Schambach passed away Jan. 17, 2012, at Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler.