Richard C. Schimmel

1929 - 2021

Richard C. Schimmel

Brookfield - Commitment to family and faith were cornerstones of Richard Schimmel's life. Dick was born in Fort Atkinson, WI on July 18, 1929. He died peacefully at Congregational Home in Brookfield, WI, where he received very loving care, on February 5, 2021 at the age of 91.

Dick moved to Milwaukee with his parents, Claude and Mary Schimmel, at the age of 14. He was the second of four children and eldest of three sons. A 1947 graduate of Marquette University High School, he was an all-conference standout in football and track. He also excelled in speed skating and he enjoyed working out at the Petite Ice Center well into his sixties. He was a proud graduate of Marquette University and a member of the Wisconsin National Guard.

Dick married his high school sweetheart in 1951. He and Rosemary (nee Haubner) were married for 65+ years prior to her death in 2017. Together they had five children who all survive him: Dennis (Caren) Schimmel, Dianne (Gary) Geigler, Lori (Wally) Schmidt, Geri (Nick) Kempf and Jean (Steve) Boeder. They also had nine grandchildren (Jennifer, Daniel, Paul, Melissa, Michael, Natalie, Katie, Heather and Emma) and 17 great-grandchildren. He and Rosemary were always encouraging and generous in their support of all of the family.

For over 60 years, Dick and Rosemary lived in their "starter" home on North 120th in Wauwatosa and they were original members of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Dick had a 20+ year career working as a district sales manager for Schlitz brewery. In the 1970's, he began another 25+ year career as a self-employed painting contractor. Whether selling beer or painting houses, he took great pride in his work. He never had trouble lining up painting jobs because of excellent word-of-mouth referrals.

In 1998, he began his "work of faith" providing free rosaries and other religious items to a wide variety of groups around the country and the globe. Dick, "The Rosary Man," eventually distributed over three million rosaries through many thousands of hours of volunteer work. Even in the last few years as aging began to take its toll, he maintained his missionary work to a lesser extent. It was not in his nature to turn down any requests.

Those who knew Dick are likely to describe him as outgoing, upbeat and talkative. Some of his most memorable experiences were being at the 1967 "Ice Bowl," flying on the Concorde at the EAA in Appleton, and his many trips to Las Vegas with Rosemary. In their later years, Dick and Rosemary enjoyed their Tuesday morning sessions playing the nickel slots and having lunch with friends at Potawatomi. They also loved the camaraderie of their "social group" of early morning walkers at the Mayfair Mall food court.

A private service for immediate family members is being planned for Dick and Rosemary. Donations can be made in Dick's name to Marquette High at https://www.muhs.edu/support-muhs/give-now.