I only learned yesterday about Dick's passing. He (and Mary) were good friends to Local 1981 (the National Writers Union) from the time we affiliated with the UAW. It is quite true that he left an indelible mark on members--there are thousands of writers everywhere who have a better life thanks to the UAW, and Dick was instrumental, from Day One, in making sure our Local had the support and assistance and solidarity from the International to bring justice to those writers. On a personal note, I valued our friendship. My condolences to Mary and the rest of the family.

My sincere condolences to the Shoemaker family.  I was lucky enough to call several members of the Shoemaker friends. Dick was always intricately involved in politics and that's where we would cross paths. A strong advocate, tradesperson and leader. R.I.P.

To Mary, Dave,Carol,Mike & your families, thank you for sharing Shoe with all of us who worked for him and allowing us to be part of his and your extended family. 
He was a great leader, friend, mentor, and I loved him like a brother. 
I will always remember and cherish our times together. 


To the entire Shoemaker family you will be in our thoughts and prayers. 
Dick was a true Trade Unionist, he lead by example, quiet spoken but demanded your respect. He provided leadership for many of us throughout the UAW but certainly was a beloved leader in Region 4. 
If you ever had the opportunity to bargain with him it was truly educational from the opening statement until an agreement was reached.
His compassion and dedication will be a testament to all who had the fortune to work with or along side him.
We will miss his leadership and friendship may he Rest In Peace.

I first covered Dick Shoemaker for a story in Solidarity magazine when Schwinn bicycle workers went on strike in Chicago. Dick gave an impassioned talk at a meeting of strikers, encouraging them to keep the faith and to keep fighting .  It was one of the best speeches by a labor leader I had ever heard.  A few years later, we took a story to Shoe about a case of harassment against a gay UAW member at a Chrysler plant in suburban Detroit .  It was a touchy subject at that time, especially since some of the harassment came from other UAW workers.  But Dick okayed our coverage, and the story, by Michael Funke, went on to win the top prize that year from the International Labor Communications Association.  Dick was the kind of leader that made me proud to be a part of the labor movement.  We will miss him.

Kay and I are very saddened to hear of the passing of Dick. He was a very good person and I enjoyed working with and bargaining with him. He was always tough but fair at the bargaining table. He will be missed. An outstanding labor leader. Mary, our deepest sympathies to you and the family. 
Kay and Gary Cowger

Sorry to hear the passing of Dick. The Labor movement lost a dedicated fighter for worker justice. Mary and family, know Vi and I are thinking of you. Dave

Richard (Shoe) Shoemaker has passed on and the labor movement has lost one of it’s most ferocious advocates for work place safety, wages, benefits, and job security. 
 Shoe gave me some of the best advice of my career, “study your opposition, get to know more about all their issues than they even know,” he followed this through out his life, he always had the correct answer to every question and it served the movement well.
It was an honor to serve with him on President Bieber’s Commission on the Future of the UAW, as we traveled  across the U.S. to every region of our Union,  he worked late and was up early each and everyday, always attentive to the members who gave their input before the commission. When all the meetings and hearings were finished it was Shoe who had the most complete notes and put together and had published our final report.
Kay and I share our heartfelt condolences with his dear wife Mary, their family, and Shoe’s extended labor family.

I had the honor and privilege of working for Dick Shoemaker, or "Shoe" as we affectionately called him. When he walked into a room you knew you were in the presence of greatness. He had a way of making everyone feel important and that they mattered. My sincere condolences to Mary and David and his entire family. 

Organized labor will never see the likes of Richard Shoemaker again.

Jim & Chris Saylor

My sincere condolences to the Shoemaker family.   Shoe was the best!  An awesome leader in our union and community. Thank you for sharing him with all of us.  

He was responsible for setting up the bone marrow donation  program in the plants.  My memory is rusty.  I think it was Life Strides. (I should know the name of the program)

This program saved lives.  Bone marrow donor drives were held in all the GM plants.   Due to my involvement with a local non-profit that worked with cancer  patients needing a bone marrow  transplant and our years of experience setting up big  bone marrow donor drives. We were invited to help start the donor drives. 

Shoe realized the need when a person on his staff and GM VP Pearce were both in need of a bone marrow transplant. 

The first one was at D-Ham. There was a big kick-off at the plant.   One of our UAW members from D-Ham was a match that saved the life of a child. Had so much fun going to all the GM plants in Michigan to assist with the donor drives. 
 
Thank you for all you did. God Bless and Rest peacefully.
Patti Neal 

Judy and I extend our deepest condolences to Mary and all of Dick’s family and his many friends. We are saddened by his passing and share in your loss. 

Shoe was a compassionate and caring person, a great trade unionist and an outstanding representative of the UAW. Dick was a master at the bargaining table and his knowledge of the UAW was unparalleled. His dedication to the active and retired UAW members was second to none. Working alongside Dick, Carolyn Coleman and his staff was indeed a pleasure. Dick was always prepared and his willingness to work numerous hours on a daily basis was routine for him.  As a result, UAW members got the absolute best representation that was humanly possible under his leadership. 

I will always treasure the opportunity of working alongside Shoe and will never forget all that he did to assist me and the friendship we shared.  He was a class act in everything he did. Dick’s passing has left a huge void in the UAW. May he rest in peace.

On behalf of the Capuchin brothers I offer my deepest sympathies on the passing of Richard. It is truly humbling to receive memorial donations in honor of Richard's life. Please be assured of the brother's prayers for the entire Shoemaker family during this great time of grief. Richard was truly a champion of the poor in his support of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. May perpetual light shine upon him.

Dear Mary and family. I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. May he Rest In Peace. 

I had the privilege of working for Shoe for ten years. A great Labor leader who put the member's needs foremost in his mind every day. We were fortunate to have had his leadership in trying times. Tee and I send our condolences to Mary and the family.



Bill and I share our heartfelt and deepest condolences. Dick’s passing is a tremendous loss, but his union legacy will, undoubtedly, live on. With much appreciation and pride, we have benefited professionally and personally for knowing, serving, and working along side Shoe.
He embodied the integrity of the UAW as a leader and as a brother. He will be greatly missed. Warmest sympathies - Bill & Rebecca Scrase

You were simply the BEST,  better than all the REST. Thank You  for Everything  you did! Our prayers are with you and your family.

Sincerest thoughts and prayers for the Shoemaker family at this difficult time. Vice President Shoemaker was an incredible leader, mentor and friend. The labor movement will forever regard Shoe as one of integrity, discipline and tireless perseverance.  We will forever keep you with us by striving to meet the example you've set.

It was sad to learn of the passing of VP Shoemaker. My condolences to Mary and the entire Shoemaker family. I’ve been  forever grateful to him for investing his faith in me by hiring me Into the UAW-GM Department and assigning me to represent fellow GM workers on the Umpire staff.  Also grateful to his thoughtfulness as a UAW leader. 

So sad to hear of Shoe's passing. I had the honor to work for him for many years. I've never meet a more loyal or a more dedicated Trade Unionist. Shoe never forgot his roots and reminded others to do the same. To Mary and the Kids my thoughts and prayers are with you all. My God comfort you with his love. And may the Angels welcome Shoe to Paradise 

I known Dick since 1968 he  was a friend and a brother He  devoted his life working for the membership of the UAW . Because of his  work we  all have better wages and working conditions and thank you for all you have done. To the Shoemaker family you have my condolences. 

Our sincere condolences to the Shoemaker family with our thanks for sharing this good man with us. He was the epitome of all that is good and great about trade unionism and friendship.

Shoe treated all with grace and compassion. He had an innate understanding of the human condition and a belief in its goodness. He was unyielding in his pursuit of  justice and dignity for those he represented and the achievement of their hopes and dreams. The duty to represent the membership was, for him, a sacred trust.

He believed that men and women of good will could join hands and work to make the world a better place than we found it. His long list of accomplishments is only exceeded by the number of people whose lives were bettered by his efforts.

Rest In Peace Brother. The world is a better place because of you. Well done my friend.


Dick Shoemaker was the Vice President during my time in Negotiations with General Motors 1999 and 2003.
He reminded me of my father who had passed in 1996. I told him as much at some point. Shoe was a soft spoken gentle man who I respected greatly. One of my greatest honors when, as I was passing a restaurant while he was having dinner with some colleagues, seen my wife and I as we were passing by. He interrupted his dinner to come out of the restaurant and hug me, and mentioned the comment I had made much earlier to him. That single act of kindness he bestowed upon me was, and still is, a memory of him I will long cherish. I will always be proud to have known him, and grateful for what he did for all of us. 
My deepest sympathy to Mary and his family. 
God bless you Shoe.
Mike Jones


I have never been formally introduced to Mr Shoemaker but have lived down the street from he and his wife for many years. There was never a time that he would drive past my  house and  not wave at me. I often would walk past his house on my way to the park and if he was outside, he would wave and say hello !
May he Rest In Peace ! I will miss your neighborly smile !

Shoemaker Family-Very sorry for your loss.
Shoe was a true friend and a man of great
INTEGRITY.   He will truly be missed. RIP SHOE!
It was an honor to have worked with you.

Linda Patton



It was an honor to sit across the table from you.  Rest In Peace, sir.

Dear Mary:  Words cannot begin to express my sorrow in hearing of Dick's passing.  May your memories bring you comfort and peace and the love of family and friends help you through the difficult days ahead.    With Love and prayers,   Dorothy

OBITUARIO

Richard M. Shoemaker "Shoe"

6 octubre, 1939 – 12 marzo, 2021

Kaul Funeral Home

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