RICHARD DALE SCHROEDER

Richard was born on July 23, 1947, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Norman and Ruth Schroeder. He grew up in Brooklyn, Ohio, and graduated from Brooklyn High School in 1965, where he played multiple sports including baseball and football.

Richard was drafted into the Army in 1969 and served in combat overseas in Vietnam. He was promoted to 1st Sergeant and awarded three Purple Hearts, as well as a Bronze Star. He was honorably discharged in 1971.  Rich married Anne (Kelly) Schroeder on July 19, 1975. They were married for 47 years and blessed with three children: Joanna, James, and Erin. They raised their family in Brook Park, Ohio. He taught his kids to value kindness, laugh often, and always root for the underdog.

He worked for many years as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, with a regular route on Belle Avenue in Lakewood, Ohio. After retiring from the USPS, he indulged his lifelong love of Cleveland baseball by working for the Guardians at Progressive Field. He worked in the E 9th Street elevator lobby for twenty years, where he loved greeting fans and getting to know the players and their families. He always had a smile on his face when at the ballpark.

Rich loved all animals, especially dogs. He could be out for a walk, and dogs he’d never seen before would lay down in front of him to ask for belly rubs. He was never so happy as when one of his dogs would nap at (or on) his feet. He was also an avid reader, spending many hours at the Brook Park Library. He enjoyed traveling, making yearly trips out to Spring Training, and seeing games at other ballparks (even if they couldn’t compare to Progressive Field). He loved nature and being outdoors, and he took his family on many memorable vacations to State Parks all around Ohio.  

Rich had a true gift for friendship. Whether you grew up with him on Ansonia Avenue, met him in the hallways of Brooklyn High, served with him in the Army, or ran into him at a ballgame - once he knew you, you’d always be one of his people. He’d always say hello, try to make you laugh, and do anything for you before you even needed to ask.

Rich loved spending time with his wife and family, especially at Christmas. Every year he couldn’t wait to hang up the Christmas lights, turn on the Christmas music, and buy and decorate a tree that was just a little too big for the house. He never lost his childhood love of seeing presents wrapped under the tree on Christmas morning and got great joy from buying exactly the right meaningful gift and then eagerly waiting for you to unwrap it. He and Anne honeymooned in Frankenmuth, Michigan, and the family went there many times over the years and took lots of pictures in front of the giant Santa statue.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and remembered for his big heart and his sense of humor. He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman Carl Schroeder and Ruth (Kurfist) Schroeder, as well as his dogs Teddy, Tippy, Spot, Teddy the terrier, Freckles, Happy, and Walter. 

He is survived by his wife Anne Schroeder, his children Joanna (Kristen), James, and Erin Schroeder, his sister Jane Kish, brother-in-law William Kish, niece Robin Kish, his cousin-in-law Carol Schroeder, and his many lifelong friends. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, a proud veteran, a lifelong Clevelander, and a loyal friend. There’s no better combination than that. 

When the Guardians win the World Series, that’ll be him giving them a little help from above. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable donations in his memory to the Cleveland Guardians Charities at https://www.mlb.com/guardians/community/donation-form or the Cleveland Metroparks at https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/support/donate.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday October 31, 2022 at 6:00 PM in the funeral home. the family will greet friends on Monday from 2 - 6 PM at THE A. RIPEPI AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, 18149 BAGLEY ROAD, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OHIO (WEST of I-71)