Richard "Rich" Alan Schneider

Richard A. Schneider, age 65 of Ekalaka, MT, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 25, 2024 at his hunting camp in the Township of Harrison, Waupaca County.

Richard Alan Schneider was born to John and Joen (Romanowicz) Schneider on September 21,
1959 in Milwaukee, WI. He spent his early years in Butler where he enjoyed hunting, fishing,
camping, playing hockey and various made up games with his buddies. He attended Hamilton
High School in Sussex where he enjoyed playing football and baseball. It was there in his senior
year that he met the love of his life, Susan (Schlei) who was his corner partner in square
dancing in gym class. Rich would endure sitting through band practices just to see Sue. The
two would be inseparable from that time on over the next 47 years. Rich was a member of the
Sussex Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter and EMT for ten years. He played on several
baseball leagues in the Sussex area. Sue and Rich were married on August 22, 1981 and
were blessed with two son’s - Daniel (Kathy Chen) and Jeffrey. Later years they had the joy of
adding a daughter Brittany to complete their family. From there four grandchildren would
become the most important thing in their lives, Alessandra (Davis), Grayson (Davis), Abraham
and Max (Schneider Chen).
Rich coached kids in football, baseball and hockey while living in Phillips, WI and even coached
several years after his own children were grown. He worked as a machinist tool and die maker
and opened an archery store in Prentice WI for several years. Hunting and fishing were his
passions and he spent lots of time with Sue doing just that. In 2012 along with Eric Wilund they
began J&J Guide Service, Living the Dream Outdoors LLC in Ekalaka, Montana. From there
the business would grow to four camps throughout Montana. It was that passion, his genuine
love of what he was doing and his wanting all the hunters to feel like they were at home that
helped that business become successful. Rich judged the success by the lifelong friendships
he made while guiding the hunters. These friends have become more like family. And he
always wanted the ranchers he worked with to know how very special and important they were
to us and that it was a privilege to use their land. This all could not have been done without
some amazing guides.
It was the adventures with family and friends that were most important to Rich. Along with his
friends they were the “Tiddly Wink Champions!” He spent wonderful days hunting in Iola, and
Park Falls with his father and friends. Rich and Sue along with all their children spent time in
Hawaii. And they had a trip of a lifetime to New Zealand. And the special memorable people -
family that we spent time were among the best days, Marjorie (Schlei), Lynn (Craig) Wallace,
Tom (Heidi) Schlei, Howard (Robin) Schlei, Edith (Bill) Schwartz), Mark (Vlad) Schlei, Lynn &
Cindi Heemeyer, Jeff and Jeannette Spotts.
Rich was bigger than life, he was funny, caring, generous, the first one to help. He was a
favorite Uncle. Along with Sue they were Mr. and Mrs. Santa for the nursing home, day care
and visited elderly residents. He was the silly PopPop who would dress up at a bakery to
surprise his grandkids, or surprise them with pizza as a delivery man. He was ready to play
games and read stories. Snuggling with his grandchildren was his favorite thing to do.
After seeing a play and lunch with his little grandson’s Rich went to a favorite spot that he had
hunted since he was a child in Iola, WI to begin a few days of hunting. It was there he passed
away peacefully on Friday, October 25, 2024 with a view of the woods and heavens that he
Loved.

As per Rich’s wishes, his final arrangements are private.

The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville is assisting the Schneider family with arrangements.

An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.