Obituary for Richard F. "Dick" Schumacher
Richard F. "Dick" Schumacher, 83, of
Montreal, Wis., passed away peacefully Monday, March 14, 2011, in Ironwood,
surrounded by family.
Born in Watertown, Wis., to Edna and Reinhold
Schumacher on March 7, 1928, he later moved and grew up in Janesville, Wis.
He attended Janesville (Wis.) High
School where he enjoyed participating in track and field, baseball and
basketball. It was here where basketball became his passion and played for the
championship team in 1946. After high school he attended Oshkosh (Wis.) State Teachers College
where he participated in track and field and played basketball from 1947 to
1950. He participated on the Wisconsin State University Conference championship
teams in 1947 and 1948. After graduating in 1950 he taught and coached
basketball at Waupun High School.
On April 2, 1949, he was united in
marriage to Doris Nemitz.
In 1952, he enlisted in the U.S.
Navy, applied and was accepted into Naval Officers Candidates School in
Newport, R.I. and became an ensign. He was assigned to U.S. Navy Security Group
in Sasebo, Japan, for two years after which he returned to finish his active duty
at Great Lakes, Ill. He then joined the Naval Reserves. He remained in Naval
Reserve for 19 years as part of the Naval Reserve Security Group; he was
assigned "Blue and Gold" officer for the U.S. Naval Academy,
and retired with the rank of commander.
After active duty, he taught science
and coached varsity basketball at Berlin High School. In 1960, he briefly left
teaching for other interests that included selling insurance in Watertown, Wis.,
and managing a Chevrolet dealership. In 1963, he returned to education at the University
of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee in physical education at the campus school. The following
year he accepted a job at UW-Oshkosh as a physical education instructor and
assistant director of the intramural sports program.
In 1964, he completed a master's
degree in physical education from Colorado State College, and for the next
three summers continued his education at the University of Minnesota. In 1972
he was promoted to director of intramural sports and remained in that position
until retiring in 1990.
During his time at Oshkosh, he
was active with students, faculty, sports, clubs and campus community. He
coached the alpine ski team, assisted in starting men's and women's soccer and ice
hockey, served as advisor for five years for the Sig Tau fraternity, served as
secretary and treasurer of the Titan Booster Club from 1965-90, was on the Hall
of Fame Selection Committee from 1974-90, and was on the Alumni Association
Board of Directors for 26 years during which time he served as secretary for 10
years and president for eight years. He received the Alumni Service award in
1986 and in 1997 he was inducted into the UW-Oshkosh Athletic Hall of Fame.
In his personal life he enjoyed
traveling with his wife and two sons and being a part of their sporting
endeavors. In 1983 he and his wife purchased their home in Montreal and
converted it to a bed and breakfast, which is where he spent his time until his
death.
He enjoyed shopping, cooking and
having long conversations with the guests, many of whom came to be good
friends. He loved having people around to enjoy good food, good conversation,
and to watch the game on television. He also loved the company of his dogs.
Dick is survived by his wife of 62
years, Doris; his two sons, Scott (Anne) Schumacher, his wife Anne Schumacher,
Ellenton, Fla., and Jim Schumacher (Kathy Gordon), Montreal, Wis.; granddaughter
Miranda, Ellenton, Fla.; a sister and brother, Marion Schumacher and Paul
Schumacher, Janesville; many nieces and nephews; and his two beloved dogs Sammi
and Keeley.
Dick was preceded in death by his
parents.
In respect towards Dick's wishes, there will be
a private family celebration of life at a later date.
The family would like to thank the
staff at Regional Care Hospice for their caring, dedicated service, as well as
all who kept Dick in their thoughts and prayers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions can be made to Regional Care Hospice in Ironwood, Wesley United
Methodist Church in Ironwood, or the UW-Oshkosh Titan Booster Club.
Dick was as genuine as they come. He
was a wonderful husband, father, teacher, coach, advisor, and friend to everyone.
He loved everyone and everyone loved him. "Is that right?" as he
would say. That's right. We love you dearly, Dick and will miss you.
Online condolences may be given to
Dick's family at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com .
Arrangements were entrusted to
McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation
Services of Ironwood.
Montreal, Wis., passed away peacefully Monday, March 14, 2011, in Ironwood,
surrounded by family.
Born in Watertown, Wis., to Edna and Reinhold
Schumacher on March 7, 1928, he later moved and grew up in Janesville, Wis.
He attended Janesville (Wis.) High
School where he enjoyed participating in track and field, baseball and
basketball. It was here where basketball became his passion and played for the
championship team in 1946. After high school he attended Oshkosh (Wis.) State Teachers College
where he participated in track and field and played basketball from 1947 to
1950. He participated on the Wisconsin State University Conference championship
teams in 1947 and 1948. After graduating in 1950 he taught and coached
basketball at Waupun High School.
On April 2, 1949, he was united in
marriage to Doris Nemitz.
In 1952, he enlisted in the U.S.
Navy, applied and was accepted into Naval Officers Candidates School in
Newport, R.I. and became an ensign. He was assigned to U.S. Navy Security Group
in Sasebo, Japan, for two years after which he returned to finish his active duty
at Great Lakes, Ill. He then joined the Naval Reserves. He remained in Naval
Reserve for 19 years as part of the Naval Reserve Security Group; he was
assigned "Blue and Gold" officer for the U.S. Naval Academy,
and retired with the rank of commander.
After active duty, he taught science
and coached varsity basketball at Berlin High School. In 1960, he briefly left
teaching for other interests that included selling insurance in Watertown, Wis.,
and managing a Chevrolet dealership. In 1963, he returned to education at the University
of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee in physical education at the campus school. The following
year he accepted a job at UW-Oshkosh as a physical education instructor and
assistant director of the intramural sports program.
In 1964, he completed a master's
degree in physical education from Colorado State College, and for the next
three summers continued his education at the University of Minnesota. In 1972
he was promoted to director of intramural sports and remained in that position
until retiring in 1990.
During his time at Oshkosh, he
was active with students, faculty, sports, clubs and campus community. He
coached the alpine ski team, assisted in starting men's and women's soccer and ice
hockey, served as advisor for five years for the Sig Tau fraternity, served as
secretary and treasurer of the Titan Booster Club from 1965-90, was on the Hall
of Fame Selection Committee from 1974-90, and was on the Alumni Association
Board of Directors for 26 years during which time he served as secretary for 10
years and president for eight years. He received the Alumni Service award in
1986 and in 1997 he was inducted into the UW-Oshkosh Athletic Hall of Fame.
In his personal life he enjoyed
traveling with his wife and two sons and being a part of their sporting
endeavors. In 1983 he and his wife purchased their home in Montreal and
converted it to a bed and breakfast, which is where he spent his time until his
death.
He enjoyed shopping, cooking and
having long conversations with the guests, many of whom came to be good
friends. He loved having people around to enjoy good food, good conversation,
and to watch the game on television. He also loved the company of his dogs.
Dick is survived by his wife of 62
years, Doris; his two sons, Scott (Anne) Schumacher, his wife Anne Schumacher,
Ellenton, Fla., and Jim Schumacher (Kathy Gordon), Montreal, Wis.; granddaughter
Miranda, Ellenton, Fla.; a sister and brother, Marion Schumacher and Paul
Schumacher, Janesville; many nieces and nephews; and his two beloved dogs Sammi
and Keeley.
Dick was preceded in death by his
parents.
In respect towards Dick's wishes, there will be
a private family celebration of life at a later date.
The family would like to thank the
staff at Regional Care Hospice for their caring, dedicated service, as well as
all who kept Dick in their thoughts and prayers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions can be made to Regional Care Hospice in Ironwood, Wesley United
Methodist Church in Ironwood, or the UW-Oshkosh Titan Booster Club.
Dick was as genuine as they come. He
was a wonderful husband, father, teacher, coach, advisor, and friend to everyone.
He loved everyone and everyone loved him. "Is that right?" as he
would say. That's right. We love you dearly, Dick and will miss you.
Online condolences may be given to
Dick's family at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com .
Arrangements were entrusted to
McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation
Services of Ironwood.