Richard R. Schuldes

Age 67, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Monday, December 20, 2004, following a courageous battle with cancer. Dick was born in Appleton on February 18, 1937, son of the late Francis and Thelma (Kluge) Schuldes. Following his graduation from Appleton West High School, Dick joined the United States Navy on October 25, 1955. He was assigned to the destroyer USS Brush DD745. While aboard the Brush, he received a letter of commendation for rebuilding a steam turbine, and attained the rank of Machinist Mate 3rd Class. Dick was honorably discharged on October 31, 1957. On January 31, 1959, he married the former Joyce Luepke in Appleton. After several years of working in area paper mills, he became a driver for Foreway Express in Appleton. Dick enjoyed the many friends he made during his twenty-seven years there. He retired in 1996. Dick spent many of his vacations at the family cottage at Sawyer Lake, and loved to fly fish and spend time with his family and friends. In 1985, Dick and Joyce attended their first DD745 Brush Reunion, and have traveled to many different states, the most recent being the 20th Brush reunion in Branson, Missouri. He took great pride in making every reunion, and treasured the many shipmates and new friends he had made. They became like a second loving family to he and Joyce.

Dick is survived by his wife of forty-five years: Joyce Schuldes of Appleton; two daughters: Wendy (Paul) Plutz of Appleton and Lori Rasmussen of Oshkosh; a son: James Schuldes of Appleton; four grandchildren: Justin, Brittany, and Collin Plutz, and Stephanie Butzer: a brother: Gene (Donna) Schuldes of Appleton; four sisters: Susan (Tom) Toonen of Appleton, Mary (Joe) Spitz of Baraboo, Kaye (Dave) Henning of Menasha, and Kathy (Jim) Riley of Birmingham, Alabama; his mother-in-law: Dora Luepke of Appleton; a brother-in-law: Charles (Julie) Luepke of Shiocton; and a sister-in-law: Joan (Wayne) Steinberg of Appleton.

The funeral liturgy for Dick will be held at 11:30 AM on Thursday, December 23, 2004 at ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, 410 W. Lawrence Street with Fr. Larry Abler officiating. The members of the William Verhagen Post #60 of the American Legion will present military honors, and interment will be in Highland Memorial Park. Friends may call at the church on Thursday from 9:00 AM until the hour of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial fund in Dick’s name.

Joyce would like to extend her gratitude to her wonderful children who helped throughout this struggle, and to Dick’s wonderful brothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors who were always there with encouragement and prayers. Thanks also to Dr. Swanson, Mary Jo, Marlene, and the rest of his staff, and to the many special nurses at the Martha Siekman Center, including Brenda and Karen, for the kindness, humor, and good care that was given to Dick. Words cannot express the gratitude we hold in our hearts for our special angel, Rachel, who was Dick’s hospice nurse during the final days of his journey. The work you do for families like ours is a wonderful gift. Thank you and God bless you – he loved you all.

“What we once have enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” РHelen Keller

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231