Richard Van Rensselaer Schermerhorn Sr.

Dick was born the youngest of eight children to Margaret (Farrow) and Harry M. Schermerhorn in Wilmette, IL. Following the death of his mother when he was just nine years old, his older siblings and grandmother Farrow helped his father to raise him. He attended St. Francis Xavier Elementary School and St. George High School (1960). He earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Marquette University, Milwaukee (1964) on a Naval ROTC Scholarship. It was at Marquette that Dick met his beloved wife Patricia (Winchester). The couple wed October 24, 1964 in Columbus, Ohio.

Dick proudly served in the US Navy's nuclear submarine force aboard the USS John Adams (SSBN 620) and the USS Von Steuben (SSBN 632). Following five years of service to his country, he and Pat settled their family in Appleton, Wisconsin, where they resided for 49 years. Under the mentorship of his father-in-law Gene Winchester, Dick founded Cortec, Inc., distributor of corrosion resistant products for industry, in 1981, and served as president until his retirement and sale of the company in 2008. In retirement, he and Pat traveled frequently, and opted for the winter warmth of Naples, FL where they both enjoyed golf, Marquette basketball game watch parties, and the frequent visits of their children, grandchildren, and friends.

Dick loved the company of great friends and the exchange of many stories that would make them laugh. He and Pat opened their home to neighbors and dear friends. Those friendships lasted throughout his lifetime. He enjoyed the pleasures of playing golf at Butte des Morts Country Club (Appleton, WI) and Imperial Golf Club (Naples, FL) as well as boating on the Fox River and frequenting the Appleton Yacht Club. He also enjoyed many happy times vacationing on Fripp Island, South Carolina.

Dick's Catholic faith was central to his life. His five children attended Catholic schools through college. He was generous with his time in service to the Church, volunteering for parish council and school boards at St. Bernadette Parish and Xavier High School in Appleton where his children attended. He lived his faith as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle.

Beloved husband of Patricia. Loving father of Margaret "Amy" (Bob Zahorik), Richard, Jr. (Angela), Anne (Howard Firestone), James, and Michael (Christa). Devoted Papa of Michael, Megan, and Samantha Zahorik; Katie (Ryan Hooley), Mark, and Danny Schermerhorn; Erin, Matthew, Andrew, and Sarah Firestone; Caroline, Elizabeth, and Brigid Schermerhorn; Great-Grandfather of Amelia “Mia” Hooley. Dear brother of the late Harry (the late Elizabeth), the late John (the late Claire), the late Sr. Mary Frances, O.S.B., the late Robert (the late Joan), Margaret, the late Thomas (Patricia), the late Nancy (the late Jack) Van Der Bosch. Dearest brother-in-law of James (the late Joan “Tracy”) Winchester, John (Laura) Winchester, Dennis (Gayle) Winchester. Carolyn (James Drone), and Mary Margaret (David Weiss). Fond uncle of many nieces and nephews and Godfather to Leslie, Margie, Jim, JP, Carrie, Julie, and Michael.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024 at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church. 434 W. Park St., Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Interment to follow at All Saints Cemetery, at 700 N River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago (https://www.osbchicago.org/donate), St. Francis Xavier Catholic Schools, Appleton (https://www.xaviercatholicschools.org/giving), Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic School, Arlington Heights (https://pushpay.com/g/olwparish), or St. Norbert School, Northbrook (https://www.stnorbertschool.org/giving).