Richard M. Schilling 1937-2021
Richard M. Schilling ("Dick"), 84, joined Jesus in heaven (on the third hole of God's golf course) on Sunday December 12 surrounded by his loving wife of 62 years, Eileen, his daughter and son in law, Sherry and Greg Harlan, his son and daughter in law, Rick and Jane Schilling, and his grandchildren (to which he is Boppa), Kayla and Andrew Harlan and Karissa and Alexandra Schilling.
He is also lovingly remembered by his special adopted family, Le and Lan Tran and their four daughters, Chinh, Linh, Christine and Eileen together with their spouses and children and very special Rockford friends, John and Betty Adamany and Ted and Murlaine Brolund and very special Florida friends, Don and Bev Weber, Gary and Marci Weber and Jane Frame. Dick was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the son of Merlin Silas Schilling and Evelyn Gertrude (Hager) Schilling. Dick, is remembered for so much but a few notable traits come to mind.
Dick first knew the value of honoring and cherishing Eileen and showing his family the value of a loving relationship. Walking home from Green Bay Wisconsin's East High School in 1955, he noticed this beautiful blue eyed blond walking home from school to which he said: "Hey you, do you want to go to Prom." To which she said: "I will have to ask my mom". From that juncture on, their love story of 62 years unfolded. She challenged him to excel in life and he was ready for the challenge. Graduating Phi Beta Kappa from UW Madison, they journeyed together to Harvard Law (with their wedding money of $500.00), wanting to turn back after going over the Mystic River Toll Bridge multiple times while trying to find the law school. Graduating in 1962, he worked in Chicago as a corporate lawyer, with his client Sundstrand hiring Dick as their first in-house counsel in 1968. Dick remained there for thirty years, eventually becoming General Counsel and Vice President, a job he excelled at according to his many colleagues we have heard from this week. His job took Dick and Eileen all over this country and the world while he negotiated transactions on behalf of Sundstrand, including being the lead counsel during a very difficult government investigation in the late 80's. Retiring when Sundstrand was sold (and after a brief tenure at Hinshaw & Culbertson with his daughter), allowed Dick and Eileen to buy a home in Florida and share their love of golf, great friends, and warm weather for over twenty years. The backbone of his ability to succeed in life (and Dick would affirm this) was ultimately his relationship with Eileen. In his later years each time Dick was with Eileen with family, he would say: "Isn't your mom beautiful?" and "How did I get so lucky with this 'Mum' of yours?" and express his lasting devotion to her. We all promised this past week that we would take care of his bride Eileen and we are so grateful for their relationship and how it is has influenced so many.
Dick also challenged his circle of family, friends and colleagues to read, learn and grow your intellect and your athletic ability through book knowledge, travel and sheer will and endurance. Dick would not buy his kids cars, but offered and did pay for all their college and grad school telling each to keep learning forever. He started each day reading multiple newspapers and tearing out the articles for discussion with interested others. He had a photographic memory for historical details and could tell you what year a particular king reigned-but do not dare ask him to say the name of the king correctly as he did not have a gift for language. He used any spare hours during business trips collecting European antiques and learning about the craft involved in their making. Dick and Eileen travelled with the Rockford Art Museum Patrons on many a trip with Dick enthusiastic about learning about all forms of art even if he did not care for the style personally. Andrew and Ally's fondest memories of their Boppa are the times he challenged them with his fierce debating skills, specifically for Ally related to their Biblical discussions. All of the grandchildren shared individual and family time with their Boppa and his inquisitive mind. We all know about his intense competitive spirit. He never let us win at ping pong or Monopoly or for that matter anything, but when you did it was a real "win". He raced us to the bottom of the ski hill often and quickly with Chip or Sheri encouraging "Mr. Schil" on to the finish. When playing racquetball, as a stress reliever, or while working in his office, he could be heard far beyond the walls of the court or office-much to the chagrin of others! A Packer game in the 60's was a boisterous affair with Dick cheering on his beloved team (and attending the Ice Bowl). Critical however to his competitive spirit was to "press" or have a side hustle for a dollar a hole during his endless (and we mean endless) games of golf -a game which he loved immensely and shared with so many in Rockford, Mediterra, Cordillera and all over the country. We are grateful for his many "golf buddies".
Finally, and the most important and longest lasting trait Dick shared with others is his enduring and profound faith. Without faith many of the challenges Dick faced, and there were many, would have been impenetrable. He thanked God for providing direction during the most difficult parts of his life on every occasion. In retirement he found a men's group in Florida that encouraged him to learn more about the Bible, and it was then and there that he had the time to learn and grow his faith. His family always knew the ultimate source of his strength and with a loving wife equally committed to the Lord, we have had the strength to say our last earthly good byes to Dick. We know however that this is not the end and will be reunited someday with our husband, dad and Boppa.