Kleiboeker Family Tree - Person Sheet
Kleiboeker Family Tree - Person Sheet
NameRichard Gard Schumm 
Birth14 Jun 1930, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Death24 Feb 2018
Notes for Richard Gard Schumm
SHEPHERD-TEACHER-MESSENGER OF PEACE Richard Gard Schumm was born to the Rev. Frank J. and Elsie Gard Schumm in Pittsburg, PA, on June 14, 1930 and was baptized into the Christian faith by his father. His earliest years were spent in Elyria, Ohio, until his father accepted a Call to Memorial Lutheran Church in Toledo, Ohio. All of Richard’s schooling was in Toledo from 1st grade through two and a half years at the University of Toledo. His love was always tennis; he was trained at a local tennis club, played for his high school, and received a full scholarship to play for the University of Toledo. During his junior year, he decided to join the Air Force. He was sent to Langley AFB in Texas, then to Frances E. Warren AFB in Wyoming, and finally to Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. He taught and played tennis at all three bases and never went to Korea. While at Keesler, he attended St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Gulfport, MS, where he met Norma Iversen and married her six months later! Before he proposed, he told Norma that he felt “called” to be a pastor and was planning to enter Seminary at the conclusion of his military service. Before the tour was complete, they welcomed their first child, Stephen. Off they went to Concordia Seminary in Springfield, IL. A second child, Susan, was born during this time. When vicarage came, they were sent to First Lutheran in Van Nuys, CA. They fell in love with California and couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. They prayed hard to be open to going anywhere and were beside themselves with joy when they were told that Richard’s Call was to Messiah Lutheran in Buena Park, CA. While serving 10 years there, the church became self supporting and grew so much that it was necessary to buy property (three acres) and build a much larger facility. During these years, many Calls came, but nothing could match what was happening at Messiah Lutheran. Another very exciting event was the adoption and addition of their daughter, Amy, to the family roster. Now the family was complete. Richard was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Chaplain of the Fire Department, and was named one of the city’s Most Outstanding Young Men by the Chamber of Commerce. Then suddenly, a telegram came one day informing Richard that he was being Called to Our Redeemer Lutheran in Honolulu. What a shock! Richard and Norma struggled with this and finally believed the Lord wanted them to go. The departure from Messiah was truly heart wrenching. Hawaii opened opportunities that were never expected. Our Redeemer was a wonderful, exciting parish with a K-8 school. Early on, Richard was invited to have a regular devotion on a station belonging to Dr. Billy Graham. Dr. Oswald Hoffman of the Lutheran Hour was a guest in the Schumm home. The 10 years there were filled with love and aloha. The most difficult decision ever made in the Schumm household occurred in the summer of 1978 when Richard accepted the Call to Northern California. This was a brief interim ministry which led to being able to return to his beloved Southern California District (now the PSWD). St. Paul’s in Laguna Beach was the perfect place for Richard. It offered many goals. During the 16-year ministry, the congregation grew, became self supporting, had a ”Mortgage Burning” celebration, built a fellowship hall, and purchased a pipe organ. Richard was a member of the local Kiwanis Club and wrote a weekly article for the Laguna Beach newspaper. Richard’s radio work began when he was a seminary student in Tupelo, MS, for the summer. After returning to the Southern California District, he was asked to be a speaker on the District’s long-running radio program. He did this until the station was sold and the District lost all opportunity for air time. Not to be outdone, the District became a presence 24/7 on the internet, with Richard hosting “It’s A New Day”. Richard retired on his 65th birthday. He continued to preach at vacant churches in Los Angeles. Not long after, Richard became a part of the ministry team at Abiding Savior Lutheran in Lake Forest, CA. He spent these years serving Jesus by preaching, assisting with communion, visiting shut ins, singing in the choir, leading the “Seniors” group, and most recently calling on all visitors to Abiding Savior. Norma went to her Heavenly Home on January 15, 2016, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Richard loved her, cared for her, and was holding her until her last breath, at which time Jesus came for her. Richard met Joan Clout-Kruse at Abiding Savior and was soon married again! They were active there and both sang in the choir this past Christmas. Little did we know that Lymphoma cancer was quickly invading his body. This time, Richard was loved and cared for by both Joan and his family. Richard was preceded in death by: his parents, Frank J. and Elsie Gard Schumm; his sisters, Barbara (Floyd) Grolle and Nancy Anderson; his nephew, David Grolle; and his beloved wife of 64 years, Norma Schumm. He is survived by: Joan Schumm and her three children Deborah (Neil) Murray, Don Kruse, and Nancy Kruse (Matt); his children Stephen (Patty) Schumm, Suke Gnagy (Scott), and Amy Saneto; his seven grandchildren, Zach, Melissa (Tyler), Laura (Nick), Hannah (Jarod), Chris (Laura), Sarah, and Noah; his six great grandchildren, Shay, Kai, Samantha, Madilyn, Zoe, and Leah; his four nephews, Ken (Jay), Tim (Lucy), Fred (Margaret) Grolle, and Craig (Teri) Anderson. Richard performed six family weddings, five confirmations and baptized thirteen family members. Richard entered his eternal residence in the Heavens on Saturday, February 24, 2018.
To God be the Glory! Until we meet again!
To God be the Glory! Until we meet again!