Schwabenlander, Richard D.

1958 ~
 2021

OBITUARY

Richard Donald Schwabenlander, 62, of Kingwood, Texas passed away Friday, April 9, 2021. He was born November 7, 1958, in Menomonee Falls, WI, to Richard Howard and Deronda Ann Haertel Schwabenlander.

Richard was a devoted husband of 32 years to Tracey Rhea Gibbs. Proud father of Jackson Rhea Schwabenlander. Brother to Michael, Timothy (Mary) and Jon (Lisa) of Menomonee Falls, WI. Brother-in-law to Chris (Tami) Gibbs of Fayetteville, AR, Mary and Lisa Schwabenlander of Menomonee Falls, WI. Favorite Son-in-law to Anne Gibbs of Fayetteville, AR. Uncle to Nathan, Ryan, Ben, Sam, Maura and Aidan Schwabenlander; Jake and Riley Herrendeen; and Katie and Hank Gibbs.

Richard is preceded in death by his father-in-law James Henry Gibbs (2014) and his father Richard Howard Schwabenlander (2020).

Richard graduated from Menomonee Falls High School and quickly headed south to the warmth of Florida. He attended the University of South Florida where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, graduating with a BS, Medical Technology. After graduation, he headed to Moscow, Idaho where he attended the University of Idaho and earned his MS, Biochemistry.

One of Richard’s first jobs following graduate school took him to St. Louis, MO where he met his wife Tracey. This is where she converted him into a lifelong die hard Cardinals fan. They also resided in Chicago, IL and Overland Park, KS before heading to Kingwood, TX where they spent the last 26 years. Richard spent his last 20-years working for Nalco, where he was Area Vice President, Business Development. During his time with Nalco he was a two time Winner’s Circle recipient.

When Richard wasn’t at work he enjoyed hitting the ball around with his “golfing buddies”, grilling for his family, riding his Peloton and just relaxing with family and friends over a nice meal. Everyone thought of Richard as their friend, he had a quick wit paired with a kind heart, he will be missed.

There will be celebration of life service, Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 3:00pm at the Strawbridge United Methodist Church in Kingwood with Rev. Dr. Todd Jordan. Masks will be required in the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials made be made to Humble Area Assistance Ministries www.HAAMMinistries.org

A LiveStream will be available on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF-nawbN-EM

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Service Information

There will be celebration of life service, Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 3:00pm at the Strawbridge United Methodist Church in Kingwood with Rev. Dr. Todd Jordan. Masks will be required in the church.

20 Responses

  1. Richard was one of my best friends, we shared a common love of our families, friends, dining, and golf. He was a devoted husband who worship the ground that Tracy walked on and spent many years working his beloved son Jack’s baseball career. He loved to play golf with our group, mostly because he beat us on a regular basis and as most of you know he is a fierce competitor who played to win. Many times he would come home to brag how he took one of us for money. Hit them straight in heaven, make a bunch of puts and maybe someone can teach you to chip because even God knows you can’t. Love you buddy and we have your family in our hands so don’t worry about them. Love, Dan, Kimberly and Ryan Dempster.

  2. Richard was a golfing friend that I have known for many years. A really nice guy to be around and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with Tracey and his family.

  3. Richard was a man of many words. I got to know Richard and Tracey when Jack was a baby. He was a caring and loving man with a smile as big as the moon. I will miss him. Rest in peace my friend.

  4. I knew Schwabby as a kind and caring person. We always could find a reason for a laugh at the end of the day. We went into battle together professionally and our competitiveness matched us to the task. He was my contact for an overseas assignment and I’ll never forget that he always packed a load of peanut butter crackers to sustain him. He was quite a picky eater which I did not know. I can only dream of hitting a golf ball the way he did. Rest In Peace friend.

  5. Tracey
    My thoughts and prayers go out to you and all of your family.

    Our thoughts and prayers are sleuth all of you.

    Marc Surla and everyone from Carrabbas.

  6. Tracey & Jack, deepest sympathies. Richard was a kind and respectful man. We are glad to have had the pleasure of knowing him. Peace be with you.

  7. Richard was a wonderful colleague and friend throughout my many years of working with him at Nalco. I will always remember Richard for his quick wit and his ability to build relationships within Nalco and with his customers. Richard cared about his Nalco family and of course always spoke very highly of Tracey and his son. You will be dearly missed! Rest in peace my friend.

  8. We met Richard and his family through Summer Select baseball during our kids high school years. We have fond memories of those days. Richard was also a friend and we kept in touch over the years. Tracy and Jack are in our prayers. With deepest sympathy. George, Sherry and Kyle Buchanan

  9. Richard was a great guy — a fine gentleman. I got to know Richard from my work at Valero when he was Nalco’s account manager. Richard was sharp and always worked well with us. We had the pleasure of also having dinner with him and Tracey as well. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tracey and Jack. I hope you can take solace in knowing that Richard was well liked and regarded by us all.

  10. Tracey
    My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. May God Bless you and Keep you through this tough time. Love The Leeah’s

  11. Schwabby, may you rest in peace my friend. I will miss our ongoing battle in baseball. Go Bucs! You will be missed.

  12. We lived across the street from Richard and Tracey for 10 years. Wonderful neighbors! It was always great to see Richard out walking Sarah, his beloved dog. God’s blessings and peace to Tracey and the family.

  13. Our prayers are with this beautiful family. We all loved seeing him here at Executive Barbershop over the years. Always so cheerful!
    Nancy Benjamin
    And staff Executive Barbershop

  14. My dearest condolences for the loss of a wonderful man Richard. I as many will miss him dearly. May he rest in everlasting peace and bring joy to the angels as he did to everyone he met.

  15. Richard was a mentor of mine at Nalco for many years, not just because of his talents but mostly because of the kind of person he was. I could always count on Richard because I knew how much he genuinely cared and put others before himself. He was a critical piece to the great culture at Nalco but was an even better friend. I will miss you deeply friend. Rest in peace…

  16. All our prayers and heartfelt condolences to Tracy and Jack. Trinka and I loved spending time with the two of you. Shcwabby and I had adjoining cubicles in Naperville in the late 80’s . We had a great time doing almost everything. Work, play, sports and family. I will since LT miss his smile and wry sense of humor… I will always remember you dude!

  17. I had the pleasure of working with Richard
    ‘Schwabby” when I managed the downstream business in Houston. He was a gentleman. A kind man and always had time to discuss the business and customers he loved. A good, I enjoyed working with him.

  18. I was feel nostalgic this Christmas time and wanted to reconnect with Schwabby. He and I went to Med Tech school together – which included a full year internship at Bayfront Medical Center. Because we both drove VW bugs, we were always helping each other out. He was a bright spot in a stressful busy and challenging year. I will never forget his quick wit and laugh – I just wish I could have reconnected with him before he went to heaven. What a treasure of a man – I’m so sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Jill Glascock Dyer. Atlanta

  19. Thinking of your family during this season. Heartbroken about his passing. Richard was always so gracious to everyone. Lv always, The Remkes

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