Richard Schauer
Richard Schauer
Richard Schauer
Richard Schauer
Richard Schauer
Richard Schauer

Obituary of Richard James Schauer

My son Richard James Schauer is the strongest person I know and has always been my hero.  From the time he was 10 years old with an inoperable brain tumor on his brain stem until the radiation for that brain tumor took his life when he was 56, he has endured enough pain and suffering to cover 10 lives.  He was the victim of an uninsured motorist who was responsible for the accident in his twenties that gave him arthritis pain in his leg for the rest of his life.  Also, in his twenties when he was starting his economic life, he suffered another brain tumor that was the result of the radiation he received at 10 years old.  In his forties he had a stroke that left him partly paralyzed, requiring a feeding tube, diapered and mute.

Richard was also a loving son who addressed his “sainted mother” with sign language of I love you every day.  Toward the end of his life, he knew he was dying and held his mothers’ hand and would not let go.

He had a habit of firing me when I upset him by being too rough in a Hoyer lift transfer or remark he did not think funny.  He never fired his sainted mother or Doctor Liz, his physical therapist.  Doctor Liz was able to push his therapy much farther than I thought possible.  Also, Doctor Liz was the arbitrator of whether Richard got his Frappuccino when he got home.  I think Richard would have worked hard for Doctor Liz even without the bribe, she is that good.

His son James was the light of his life, and they had an outstanding relationship.  James could make him laugh; it was a pleasure to see the two of them. Richard loved his brother and sister and was many times frustrated that he could not tell them how much he valued them.  He had a sense of humor and was liked by all he met.  He was kind and generous with his money and donated to many causes that helped people.  He was a good person and a great son.

Richard has always been my hero.  With the disabilities and pain, he had most of his life he still looked forward to Deacon Terry Nelson bringing the Eucharist to him.  Richard would make the sign of the cross and smile.  Richard never gave up on Jesus and he believed Jesus never gave up on him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.

 

A speech by Richard's father:

As sad as it is for my wife and myself on the death of our son Richard James Schauer, I am happy for him that he has finally found his voice.  Of all the disabilities Richard had to endure, being mute was probably the cruelest for him.  Richard liked to talk and tell and hear stories.  It was not unusual for him to say out of the blue, “It sure was cold when we got our Christmas Tree”.  That was a good story.  The time he played first base in little league and tripped and sat on the bag as the ball sailed over his head at chest height had he been standing.  That was a good story.  I can picture him talking to his grandmothers and grandfathers who have gone before him.  Mothers are many times the keeper of the stories of their children.  They also like to hear them but more often tell stories of their children.  I like to think Richard is talking to Mother Mary and telling all the stories over the last 10 or so years he could not.  Many will be good, some great and some heartbreaking.  I can’t think of a better way for Richard to get all his stories told.  I believe She has heard all of them because she was with Richard when they happened.  I also believe She is watching over our family so we can hear Richard’s story someday.

 

 

 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Schauer, please visit Tribute Store
A Memorial Tree was planted for Richard
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Accent Funeral Home & Cremation
Share Your Memory of
Richard