Age 91
Of St. Paul
Passed away July 5, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. Preceded in death by parents, siblings, son-in-law Frank, grandson Jim & wife Jean. Survived by children Tim (Carol), Vicky Jack, Paula (Mike Hulse), Patty (Gerald) Quinn; grandchildren Genna, Kate, Christopher, Megan, Kelly; 5 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Shirlee Borthen & Ethel Schneeweis Jones. Rich grew up in his beloved North St. Paul & graduated high school in 1942. He proudly served during WWII in the Navy Seabees on the South Pacific island of Tinian. Rich met Jean (his bride of 66 years) after the war & they lived in their east side home until last year. Neighbors called Rich, "the social mayor of Hawthorne Ave." It was commonplace to have a group of neighbors sitting & talking on the front steps. Rich was a St. Paul letter carrier until retiring in 1980. He worked part-time for 3M for another 10 years. His interests & favorite topics of conversation centered around sports, politics, family activities & his German-Irish-Luxembourg heritage. Rich loved all Minnesota sports teams & rarely missed a Twins game on TV. He also cheered at the numerous sporting events of his grandchildren. Rich coached many years of girls softball for the Blessed Sacrament school teams. He was a fixture for thirty years at the St. Paul East Side YMCA. Rich was known by all & spent as much time socializing as he did exercising. His never ending supply of cough drops was legendary. Rich kept in touch with Schneeweis family members in Melrose, Vermont, California & throughout the Twin Cities. He will be missed. A special thank you to Nurse Dana, Kari & the staffs at Heartland & The Homestead of Maplewood. They provided wonderful care. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday (7/12) 10:30 AM at CHURCH OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT, 2119 Stillwater Ave., St. Paul. Visitation Monday 4-7 PM at SANDBERG FUNERAL HOME, 2593 E. 7th Ave., North St. Paul, & one hour prior to Mass at church. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery, North St. Paul.