Richard Allen Schreuder

Richard Allen Schreuder, 84, of Presque Isle, Wisconsin, passed away on November 29. He was born in Chicago and spent much of his adult life in Elk Grove Village, IL.He moved to Wisconsin 19 years ago, drawn by its beauty and recreational opportunities. His parents, Tillie and Raymond Schreuder, had nurtured in hima lifelong love of fishing and the woods. He was devoted to his wife, Elizabeth, his high school sweetheart to whom he was married for 64 years. She cared for him lovingly as diabetes and other ailments impacted his final years.

Richard was a loving father to Cindy Schreuder (Howard Hess) and Rick (Donna), and the world’s greatest grandfather to five: Kyle, Kelly and Megan Schreuder; L.O. and Daniel Hess.

Known as “Richard” or “Rich” to his oldest friends and “Dick” to his more recent ones, he was a bornstoryteller with a great sense of humor. He enjoyed telling all kinds of tales including how once, during a Cubs game rain delay, he was mistaken for former Miami Dolphins Coach Don Shula. Thatmix-up set off a stampede of people clamoring foran autograph from “Coach Shula”; Richard obliged them.

Although he could not read a note of music, he had a beautiful tenor voice that was in demand at family weddings and Christmas Eve services.He was, however, a terrible cook who could not boil water without oversight and who once drove to the store to purchase new pants instead of operating the washing machine. He would laugh when he told these and other stories about himself.

While Richard never caught the 30-pound musky of his dreams, the big one he landed in 1991 on Diamond Lake hung proudly on his wall.

He held an associate degree from Wright Junior College in Chicago and spent the bulk of his career in sales.He ended his working years as an auxiliary police officer with the Rosemont (Illinois) Public Safety Department.Although Richardleft Chicago, he retained his allegiance to its sports teams; he was an avid fan of the Chicago Blackhawks, Bears and Cubs.

Richard was an active retiree. Officially he was a past president of the Boulder Junction Lions Club; unofficially, he was its “Grand Poobah,” a jokingly exalted title he borrowed from his favorite cartoon, “The Flintstones.” While in the Lions, Richard helped to start a program that sent its members into local elementary schools to read with children.

Once we enter a post-COVID world, the family will hold two memorial services - one each in the Northwoods and the Chicago area. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society.

Online condolences may be shared at nimsgernfuneral.com

NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES IS SERVING THE FAMILY.