Richard Francis Schubert

Richard Francis Schubert passed away on Friday, July 12 in Fairfax, Virginia. Richard was born on November 2, 1936, to Yaro and Frances Schubert of Trenton, New Jersey. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Austin Schubert and his children Robyn Schubert Wilber, Tom Austin, Michael Austin, Elizabeth Austin Howell, as well as his sister Deborah Schubert Long, husband Russell Long, and many loving grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Richard is predeceased by his first wife Sarah Jane Lockington Schubert, a daughter, Karen Lynne Schubert, and son, David Mark Schubert.
Richard attended public schools in Trenton, NJ and then graduated cum laude from Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, MA, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He graduated from Yale Law School in 1961 and joined the Legal Staff of Bethlehem Steel's Labor Relations Division. In 1966 Richard was promoted to Assistant Manager of the Division. In 1970 he accepted an appointment as Executive Assistant to the U.S. Under Secretary of Labor and the next year was nominated by President Nixon and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Solicitor of the Department of Labor.
Richard returned to Bethlehem Steel in 1973 as Assistant to the Vice President for Industrial Relations but was then nominated by President Nixon and served as U.S. Under Secretary of Labor. He returned to Bethlehem Steel in 1975 serving in various leadership roles and was named president in 1979 and then elected vice chairman of the company in 1980.
Richard then served as President of the American Red Cross from 1983 to 1989, and Chief Executive Officer of the Points of Light Foundation from 1990-1995. Overlapping these activities, he served for 21 years on the Board of Directors of Weirton Steel.
Richard was awarded honorary doctorate degrees from seven universities including Eastern Nazarene College, Allentown College St. Francis de Sales, Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, and Lafayette College in Easton, PA.
Richard was a pioneer in working across public, private and civil society – believing the best solutions are often found by engaging diverse talent and experience across all sectors of society. He served on the boards of more than 30 organizations, helping to create, lead, and guide their efforts across more than 100 countries.
He was Founding Chair of the International Youth Foundation and the Peter Drucker Foundation; a founding board member of Management Training Corporation, American Friends of Czech Republic, Friends of Zambia, and the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy; and he chaired the National Job Corps Association and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.
Richard held many titles and wore many hats.farm boy, debater, crooner, barrister, negotiator, chairman, president, volunteer, servant, Christ's One, Rich, Dick, Shub, Son, Brother, Dad, Papa, and Husband/Sweetheart. When he took over Bethlehem Steel the papers described him as "A new breed who thrives on work, family, and God." He described his "Last Words" in the Washington Post Profile as " I hope I've made a difference in the world at the end of my fingertips." You've done that and more, Dear One. Rest at Peace.
A Memorial Service will be held on 28th September 2024 at 10am at the McLean Presbyterian Church located at 1020 Balls Hills Road, McLean, VA 22101. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to any of the following organizations:
American Red Cross
[https://www.redcross.org/donate]
International Youth Foundation
[https://iyfglobal.org/donation]
Richard F. Schubert Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit Job Corps students attending college:
1015 15th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005
Nazarene Compassion Ministries
[https://give.ncm.org/donate/227]