Jacob Robert Schleicher
February 28, 1992 – December 20, 2024
Jacob Robert Schleicher, born February 28, 1992, in St. Louis, Missouri, passed away on
December 20, 2024, at the age of 32.
Jake was the cherished son of Cynthia Schleicher and the late Robert Schleicher; brother of
Nicholas (Marina) Schleicher; and grandson of Cynthia Herder and the late Arthur Herder,
Robert and Charlotte Schleicher. He was a beloved nephew, treasured cousin, and loyal friend
to many.
Despite his cerebral palsy, Jake persevered through pain. As a kid, he spent hours on his
half-pipe with his brother and their friends. In their backyard football games, he attained the
status of “all-time quarterback,” rarely missing a route. Alongside his brother, the duo created
and produced wildly creative home movies detailing the adventures of Super Dude.
His goofy sense of humor shone through in everything he did. Jake and his brother made their
on-air debut on Fox 2 in the morning with Tim Ezell to promote their inclusion in the “Awkward
Family Pet Photos” book (and licensed merchandise). After this appearance, his knack for
playing kooky characters brought him to big leagues: Jerry Springer.
Also supremely sweet, Jake took after his father and was an extraordinarily talented, self-taught
musician. He played guitar and drums for friends and family at open mic nights, learning Jimi
Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Bob Marley, Fleetwood Mac,
The Beatles, and Jelly Roll by ear.
Jake’s adventures took him across the country. He enjoyed trips with his friends Savannah
Bosler and Paul Berry. The trio of high schoolers decided to have their own Ferris Bueller’s Day
Off, driving to Chicago and back on the same day. In 2023, Jake, Savannah, and Brian Wilson
flew to Las Vegas, and road-tripped to the Grand Canyon and California. He and his father
Robert also took trips to Florida and Seattle, and spent every summer at Six Flags, St. Louis.
For many years, he struggled with addiction and was hoping to start fresh this new year. Jake
was excited to meet his new niece, coming this May and was looking forward to performing new
music at open mic nights. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and his dog R0$K0.
Above all, the relationship between Jake and his mother Cynthia was deeply special. His heart
warming smile and caring soul were inherited from her. Through all of the hardships of cerebral
palsy and addiction, she provided a loving and supportive environment until the end.
Please join us in a Celebration of Life, Saturday, Jan. 4th, 3-6 p.m. at Sunset Hills Community
Center, 3915 S. Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63127.
We are absolutely heartbroken for your family, and for all who loved Jake. I wish there was something we could do to bring him back, and to make this horrible pain go away. Love you all so much!!!
Cyn, my heartfelt condolences and prayers are with you, all your family and all Jake’s friends. Jake and his Dad are playing music for all your family (and my Mom) in heaven, and for the Angels…I can only imagine what beautiful music it is. Sending virtual hugs and love to you!
Blessings to you all. RIP Jake. Gone too soon.
I ONLY MET Jake 2 times but he was so polite and sweet.
Yes he does look like you so much. God Blessed him with the Best mom .
He will be missed but never forgotten.
May God wrap His arms around you and lean into Him in these days. My heart breaks for you.
I just don’t know what to say honestly. So I’m going to just talk to you like you’re in front of me.
You’re the man. Growing up I can still remember Thanksgiving over at Grandma Charlottes and Grandpa Bobs. I look up to you SO MUCH being that younger cousin I am. You have your battles and you face them head on, without worry.
You have the strength of 1,000 men and God needed one of his best warriors so much sooner than I would have liked. I know we all feel this way.
Tell Grandpa he’s a hero, give grandma a kiss for me and tell your dad he’s the best uncle I could have asked for. Just do me a favor and jam out to some Hendrix and enjoy paradise.
I’ll see you soon.
-Cuzzo David Schleicher
So sorry for your loss. If you need anything, I’m there.
A beautiful light lost far too soon…. I am more sorry than I can ever say for all your family and for all those who knew and loved Jake. Sending much love, many hugs, and the hope you feel his beautiful energy around you always.
He was truly the best human I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. He came into my life at a time where I desperately needed a friend like him; we were ride or dies from the beginning. Half of the years we both spent on this planet. I will never come to terms with the fact that we will no longer get to grow up and go through life together, but I remain hopeful that we’ll find each other again in the next. I will carry this pain with me for the rest of my life. While not related by blood he will forever and always be my brother, and I will always consider the Schleicher / Herder family to be an extension of my own.
Jake- I’m well aware that you carried the pain of an angel trapped living in hell. While I’m heartbroken that you’re gone, I’m also hopeful that you’ve now transcended to a place where that pain (both the physical and the mental pain) no longer exists. I hope that you’ve found complete tranquility and have once again been reunited with all of your loved ones that went before you. For this, I try to remain grateful. I mourn for the ones that you left behind, because I know just how great of an impact your light had on the world around you. The void that you left is enormous, and nothing is ever going to be able to compensate for that.
Thank you for everything my brother. While our time together feels cruelly short, it was one of the sweetest, most sincere, and most pure things I’ve ever known nonetheless. I will never forget you or the adventures we shared. As hard as it may be, I will continue forward and carry you with me everywhere I go. You are so loved… I refuse to say “goodbye”, but rather “see you later”. I don’t know when “later” will be, but I hope it’s not too long.
Rest easy and stay gold my friend. I’ll see ya when I see ya.
– Love forever, “Sis”
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
I’ma miss you Jake foreal man I’m so sad your not physically here anymore it just seems like a dream 😭 I woke up to realization my dude knowing u never coming back I gotta stay strong for you bro damn Jake this a tuff one for me today but I wouldn’t be me if I ain’t comment and show my condolences to your family love you dude Long Live you and I will be part of celebrating your home going
My heart goes out to Cynthia. No mother should have to bury her child. When you hold your little baby in your arms. You know that some day you will have to say goodbye. But it’s supposed to be you. Not your little baby. I know Nick is at peace. No more struggles with life. But, it was way too soon. God bless you, Nick. Rest in peace…
Oh my, I must apologize to Cynthia and Nick for my ignorance. I couldn’t believe it when I realized what I had done. I guess just mixed them up. When I think of them they were just kids. Hanging out. Breaking bones on their skateboards. It’s hard for me to even imagine him as being 31. But, he was… I’m so sad that Jake has died. I’m so sorry for everyone and again, I am very sorry.