Obituary for Richard L. "Rich" Schuler
Richard Lee Schuler, better known as Rich, passed away on February 9, 2023 at the age of 68 while visiting family in Florida. Rich had overcome a myriad of medical issues over the last 20 years of his life, culminating in a heart attack in September of 2022. He remained determined through it all, but the complications that followed were ultimately too much for his body to withstand.
Rich was born to Jeanette and Luke Schuler on July 6, 1954, followed closely by the arrival of his four younger brothers Luke, William, Mark, and John. He was blessed to become the brother-in-law to Vivian, Debbie, Karen, and Brenda, as well as through marriage to Charlie Pederson, Stephen Pederson, Berni and Austin Morgan, Frances and Jesse Nuñez, Jonathan and Suzanne Pederson, and Andrew and Wendy Pederson. He had the immense pleasure of being an uncle to 16 nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly.
In 1975, he married his wonderfully caring and supportive wife, Mary Beth. They spent 47 loving years together. After struggling to have children of their own, they adopted their two children Richard (Rick) and Amanda. Rick married his wife Jennifer (Jenny) in 2008 and they had their first child, Penelope (Penny), in 2022. Penny tragically passed away one month later. Amanda married her husband Jamison Elder in 2015 and they had their first child, Jude, in 2018 followed by their second, Ezekiel (Zeke) in 2020. Rich loved his family with all of his heart, and they adored him in return.
Rich wasn’t a good man, he was a great man. He was a man who led by example. He was a devout, lifelong follower of Christ and he practiced what he preached, showing kindness and love to all who had the pleasure of meeting him. He was honest, caring, generous. He was there for you when you needed him, and even when you didn’t.
He had an independent, strong will and did things “his way or the highway.” He loved stale marshmallow Peeps and hotdogs with “ketchup only.” A die-hard Chicago White Sox fan, his deepest regret in life may have been that his children ended up as Cubs fans. He was loveable and goofy and he loved to laugh; something you could hear two rooms over and couldn’t help but smile when you did. He will be severely missed, but never forgotten.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 2 PM at CrossRoads Community Church at 5433 S. Austin Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. His family invites those whose lives were touched by Rich to celebrate his life alongside them. Food and fellowship will be followed by a formal service to honor the memory and life of a truly great man.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to CrossRoads Community Church.
Express your thoughts and condolences at colonialchapel.com 708-532-5400
Rich was born to Jeanette and Luke Schuler on July 6, 1954, followed closely by the arrival of his four younger brothers Luke, William, Mark, and John. He was blessed to become the brother-in-law to Vivian, Debbie, Karen, and Brenda, as well as through marriage to Charlie Pederson, Stephen Pederson, Berni and Austin Morgan, Frances and Jesse Nuñez, Jonathan and Suzanne Pederson, and Andrew and Wendy Pederson. He had the immense pleasure of being an uncle to 16 nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly.
In 1975, he married his wonderfully caring and supportive wife, Mary Beth. They spent 47 loving years together. After struggling to have children of their own, they adopted their two children Richard (Rick) and Amanda. Rick married his wife Jennifer (Jenny) in 2008 and they had their first child, Penelope (Penny), in 2022. Penny tragically passed away one month later. Amanda married her husband Jamison Elder in 2015 and they had their first child, Jude, in 2018 followed by their second, Ezekiel (Zeke) in 2020. Rich loved his family with all of his heart, and they adored him in return.
Rich wasn’t a good man, he was a great man. He was a man who led by example. He was a devout, lifelong follower of Christ and he practiced what he preached, showing kindness and love to all who had the pleasure of meeting him. He was honest, caring, generous. He was there for you when you needed him, and even when you didn’t.
He had an independent, strong will and did things “his way or the highway.” He loved stale marshmallow Peeps and hotdogs with “ketchup only.” A die-hard Chicago White Sox fan, his deepest regret in life may have been that his children ended up as Cubs fans. He was loveable and goofy and he loved to laugh; something you could hear two rooms over and couldn’t help but smile when you did. He will be severely missed, but never forgotten.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 2 PM at CrossRoads Community Church at 5433 S. Austin Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. His family invites those whose lives were touched by Rich to celebrate his life alongside them. Food and fellowship will be followed by a formal service to honor the memory and life of a truly great man.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to CrossRoads Community Church.
Express your thoughts and condolences at colonialchapel.com 708-532-5400