Russell E Schumacher's Obituary
Russell E Schumacher was born December 23, 1928 and peacefully passed in August, reaching the age of 92. Russ is survived by his four children and their partners; Dean and Louiselle, Ruth and John, Becky and Bruce, and Tammy Schumacher, along with his four adoring grandchildren John and Maggie Yeates, and Taylor and Cassidy Richardson. Born to Fredrik and Dorotha Schumacher in Tracy, Minnesota, home of "Box Car Days," Russ grew up with siblings Betty, Marge, Gene, and Weezie. After graduating high school in 1946, Russ joined the army and spent a year in Japan serving his country. Following the war, he attended St. Cloud Teachers College where he later met Norma, his wife of 61 years. It was love at first sight when he spotted her on the college steps in her green freshman beanie. The two were married in 1952. Heading West in 1954, with Dean in tow and Ruth on the way, the Schumacher family settled in West Linn, Oregon. Russ accepted a teaching position in business at West Linn High School. That fall he began a long and rewarding 32 year career impacting students and building community. Loved by staff and students, Mr. Schumacher enjoyed connecting with people and many colleagues became life-long friends. Russ was part of many West Linn community traditions through his service with the Elks and Lions clubs. From flipping burgers at the Old Fashion West Linn Fair to the Sauerkraut Feed and the W.L. Easter Egg Hunt, he was proud to support his community. For eleven years, Russ managed the Clackamas County Fair where he boasted of his free rodeos, fireworks, and "record crowds." The fair has remained a treasured tradition in our family for sixty years. A commemorative bench will be placed at the Canby fairgrounds with a plaque to honor his legacy. After retiring in 1987, Russ and Norma enjoyed time with their family and close friends. They shared a special bond with their grandchildren and loved telling jokes, playing classic card games like Skip-Bo, gifting special coins, and making funny memories on their tape recorder with the kids. Russell will be greatly missed but always remembered with a smile. He was a cherished resident in the Avamere Berry Park Community the past six years, keeping busy with bean bag baseball, BINGO, and an occasional happy hour. The Schumacher family will be honoring Russ Schumacher with a celebration of life at the Oregon City Elks Club on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at 1:00pm (masks required). Russ will be laid to rest with Norma the following day at the Willamette National Cemetery, on what would have been their 69th wedding anniversary.
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