Richard I. "Dick" Schauble

Dick was a lifelong resident of Kansas City, graduating from Paseo High School in the class of 1930. He summered with his family on Canadaigua Lake, New York, and continued to go there every year until very recently. During the 1930’s Dick, his brothers, and his father “wildcatted” oil wells in Oklahoma. Dick developed an interest in aviation at an early age. He attended and then instructed at Missouri Aviation Institute at Kansas City Municipal Airport.

He met Mercedes Jones of Kansas City, and they were married for 57 years before her passing. He entered the Army Air Force in World War II, serving as an instructor at Blytheville Army Air Force Base in Arkansas, and as a mechanic with the 8th Air Force in Iceland. Upon discharge Dick worked as an aircraft mechanic for TWA, then founded Aero Mechanics School at the airport in 1947. For over 30 years many of the aircraft mechanics in the Midwest and at TWA were graduates of his school. Dick instilled his thoroughness and professionallism into all of his graduates. They have always been considered some of the best aircraft mechanics in the industry. In addition to his pilot’s and mechanic’s licenses Dick was an FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner and Aircraft Inspector. He was a recipient of the FAA’s prestigious Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award.

Dick restored his first airplane, a 1941 Interstate Cadet. Dick and Mercedes were active participants in the Antique Airplane Association, flying the Interstate to many events. Always a great lover of the water, particularly sailing, Dick, Mercedes, and their children and grandchildren spent many fun weekends on their houseboat at the Lake of the Ozarks. After retirement they took many frequent trips in their camper van, visiting most of the states in the United States.

Dick was preceded in death by Mercedes, and his brothers Hank and Francis Schauble. Survived by sons Ron Schauble and Richard Schauble (Sonja), daughter Sherrie Priddy, all of this area, and grandchildren Brandon Smith, Portland Oregon, and Melanie Priddy, Kansas City. Also by Linda Schauble, niece, Davenport, California and his Corgi dog Millie.

A special thanks to Renee Davis and the other caregivers that allowed him to remain at home to the end.

Visitation Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, September 27 at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road. Funeral services will be held Saturday, 11:00 a.m. at Colonial Presbyterian Church at 95th and Wornall. Burial with military honors at Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Family requests donations to the Air Power Museum of the Antique Airplane Association. Make checks payable to the Museum, and mail to: Air Power Museum, 22001 Bluegrass Road, Ottumwa Iowa 52501-8569. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.