A. Richard Schimmel, Jr.
October 5, 1922 – December 23, 2015

Richard "Dick" Schimmel was born in Tulare, California to Minnie Josephine and Alfred Richard Schimmel, Sr., who owned and worked a family ranch. Dick had two sisters, Beth and Freda. The Schimmels moved to another ranch near Eugene, Oregon in 1931.

When he was 18, Dick began working as a stock boy with the J.C. Penny Company in Eugene while he attended the University of Oregon. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Dick interrupted his studies to volunteer in the United States Navy in which he served from 1942-1946. Dick gained the rank of Lieutenant and was chief supply officer aboard the U.S.S. Portland (CA-33). On September 2, 1945, the ship's officers, including Lieutenant Schimmel, witnessed the formal surrender by Japanese forces on the deck of the Portland in a ceremony that was conducted simultaneously with the unconditional Japanese surrender aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

After the War, Dick graduated from the University of Oregon and began his career in management at J.C. Penny in Oregon. He later managed stores in Mount Vernon, Washington; Eugene, Oregon; and Orange, California, before moving back to Portland, Oregon where he retired.

While in college, Dick fell in love with Doris Francis Fassett; and they were married on his twenty-fifth birthday, October 5, 1947. Dick and Doris had two children, Nancy Beth Glazier and Richard ("Rick") Alan Schimmel. Doris was diagnosed with cancer in the mid-1970s and passed away after a long battle with the disease in January 1981. Dick retired from J.C. Penny the previous year to care for his beloved wife.

While living in the Charbonneau district of Wilsonville, Oregon, Dick fell in love with his second Doris—Doris Adams Belloni—whom he married on January 6, 1986, in Hawaii. Dick was a passionate gardener, who was famous for his beautiful roses. Dick and Doris enjoyed family gatherings and traveling with friends, including trips to Switzerland, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and Canada, as well as within the United States. Dick and Doris were active members of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Wilsonville. Dick also was a member of the Rotary Club and other civic organizations.

After a long and loving marriage that brought Dick's and Doris's families together, Doris passed away in December 2011. Dick continued to live in Charbonneau until his own death four years later.

Dick is survived by his children, Rick and Nancy; his stepchildren, James Belloni and Susan Gray; and his seven grandchildren: Kelsey, Amelia, and Katie Glazier; Ricky and Haley Schimmel; and Sam and Will Gray. He was a wonderful and loving father and grandpa.

Dick was a man of deep faith, always upbeat, optimistic, and quick to laugh. He was a remarkable man—a model for how to live a life of kindness, generosity, joy, and decency.

A memorial service celebrating Dick's rich and inspiring life will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 8818 NE Miley Road, Wilsonville, Oregon, on Saturday, January 16, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church.