Richard 'Dick' Schooley
Richard ‘Dick’ Schooley, 96, of Aberdeen, SD, died Thursday, June 15, at 12:01 in Aberdeen.
Dick Schooley was born in Watertown, SD to Clive and Meta Schooley. He grew up on his parents’ farm in Hamlin County, attended grade school nearby and graduated from Thomas High School in 1946. During high school he played on the boys basketball team that placed third in the state class B tournament. He enrolled at South Dakota State College in Brookings, SD in 1947. From 1951 to 1953 he served in the United States Army and was stationed in Korea and Japan. He returned to school and graduated from South Dakota State College in August 1956.
In 1957, he married Delores Reitzel in Castlewood, SD. He worked for the federal government for 28 years beginning in March 1959 with the Soil Conservation Service. He worked in Redfeld, Sioux Falls and Howard, SD. In 1968, he transferred to the Farmers Home Administration and worked at Madison, Leola, and Aberdeen. He retired from FmHA in April 1987. In 1990 he began a 33-year career working part-time for the Brown County Maintenance department doing janitorial work and light carpentry work for Dacotah Prairie Museum. He worked until 4 days before he passed away. Health and exercise were important parts of Dick’s life. He began jogging in the 1960s before it became popular. He participated in many 10k runs over the years and was recognized by many people along his jogging route in Aberdeen.
Dick was loved and admired by those who knew him. He had a strong work ethic and a welcoming smile. He is survived by his son Daniel (Nancy) Schooley of Las Cruces, NM, daughter Diane (Wes) Schooley- Pettis of Boise, ID, granddaughter Chantelle (Josh) Reid of Aurora, CO and two great grandchildren, Noah and Amelia Reid of Aurora, CO, and brother Kenneth (Karen) Schooley of Castlewood, SD. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, four sisters and six brothers.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Dacotah Prairie Museum. The family would like to thank the many people who helped Dick thrive into his 90s. These include Tim and Monica Beck, Steve and Deb Vetter, Mort and Karen Schooley, the wonderful staff at Dacotah Prairie Museum and the Brown County offices, Jackie Ormand, Don Jakober, and caring next door neighbors.