Richard C. Schubert

Richard Schubert was a man who devoted his life to learning, loving, teaching and making the world a better place. He was a pioneer and proponent of solar energy, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. But more than anything, Richard (or “Dick,” as he was known by friends and family) was a man who made the world a brighter place simply by being in it.

On November 29, 1927, Carl and Mildred (Odiet) Schubert celebrated the birth of their son, a baby boy named Richard, amid the cornfields and college town of Urbana, Illinois. Those were exciting times in this country, the twilight of the Roaring 20s, and a time of technological marvels, from Lindbergh’s first transatlantic flight, to the birth of television.

Richard’s father was a professor at the University of Illinois, while his mother was a devoted homemaker, caring for Richard and his four siblings, Rosemary, Norma, Phil and Nancy. They were a close-knit, devoutly Catholic family growing up, and Richard, the middle of the clan, was especially close to his brother Phil, who was just 18 months his junior.

Richard and his family lived in the charming college town of Champaign, where he grew into a bright and active young student who enjoyed playing soccer with his brother Phil. He began his early years of employment delivering newspapers while attending elementary and high school. He also worked during college on the Illinois Central Railroad. After obtaining his M.S. degree from Wayne State, he began employment with B.F. Goodrich, Akron, Ohio, as a project engineer concentrating on tire design. In 1955, he moved to Dearborn, Michigan, and was employed by the Ford Motor Company as a design engineer of brakes, wheels, and tires.

His teaching career began in 1966 at Wayne State University as a Professor in Mechanical Engineering. He loved teaching, and had found the perfect vocation for him. Not long after, he found the perfect woman for him, too. Richard met a wonderful lady named Wanda in July of 1968, who happened to live in the same apartment complex he did. The sparks flew between them, and they were married less than six months later, on December 14, 1968, in Dearborn. The newlyweds honeymooned in Florida, where they took advantage of their shared love for golf.

The following year, they packed up and left Dearborn, moving to Kalamazoo. Richard began teaching at Western Michigan University, and, not long after, they started their family, as well.

Richard and Wanda were blessed with two wonderful children, their daughter Susan and their son Robert--both who filled Richard with so much pride and joy over the years. Richard was a terrific father, and quite involved in his kids’ lives. He was a volunteer with their 4H Club, and also was active in the Cub and Boy Scouts.. He never stopped teaching when he was “off the clock,” keeping busy with activities such as constructing and shooting off rockets in his yard with the neighborhood kids.

Richard loved being a professor, and helped his students learn and grow as individuals. He became an advocate for better uses of energy, and in 1975, he was named the director of the Energy Research Institute (ERI). The public used the ERI as an alternate energy resource and he spoke to many groups and organizations as well as individuals. Professor Schubert also lectured at many conferences throughout the country and was a firm believer in global warming long before it became a popular topic. He spoke in many of the public schools arousing interest and concern in energy consumption in future generations. In 1980, Richard added “published author” to his resume, when he co-wrote the book, Fundamentals of Solar Heating. Richard became a staunch supporter of solar energy, and was an integral part of the Western Michigan University Sunseeker solar car team, competing in three 2300-mile cross-country “Sunrayces,” capturing two top-ten positions.

Richard retired from the University and from the ERI in 1994, giving him some well-deserved time to pursue his many interests. Richard and Wanda spent their winters in Naples, Florida, where they could play golf every day, but they were always anxious to return home to Kalamazoo with the first thaw of springtime. He loved spending his summer days playing golf and tending to his yard and beautiful garden at his home in Oshtemo Township, just outside the city’s confines. Richard and Wanda were also faithful members of St. Thomas More Church and celebrated mass there every Saturday evening.

Richard was a humble man, with a true appreciation for the simple routines in life and a tremendous sense of humor. He took great joy and delight in his family, and was so proud of his children.

Richard passed away on Monday, November 26, 2007, in his home, surrounded by his family. He will be greatly missed.

Learn more about Richard, view his life story film, and visit with his family and friends on Friday from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at the LIFE STORY FUNERAL HOME, Betzler, Kalamazoo 375-2900. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday 1:00 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will take place in Hill Cemetery. He was preceded in death by two sisters: Rosemary Squires and Norma Shepherd. Surviving members of his family include his wife of 39 years Wanda Schubert; two children: Susan (Joshua) Conway of Las Vegas, NV and Robert (Julie) Schubert of Chicago, IL; a grandson Drew Schubert; a brother Philip (Marcia) Schubert of Kalamazoo and a sister Nancy (Gene) Darnall of Monticello, IL; two brothers-in-law: Bill Squires of Bloomfield Hills and Fred Shepherd of Orange, CA and many nieces and nephews. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo of Richard, sign his online guest book or make memorial contributions to St. Thomas More Church.