Albert Richard “Rich ” Schram
July 3rd, 1934 - August 12th, 2024
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Rich's Obituary
Albert Richard “Rich” Schram, aged 90, of Bridgman MI, passed away on Monday, August 12, 2024, at home with his family by his side.
Rich was born on July 3, 1934 to Albert Jr., and Lydia (Baab) Schram in Benton Harbor, MI. He was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School, Class of 1953. On October 5, 1963 he married Charlotte M Sanders, of Eau Claire MI.
Richard served honorably in the Army from 1953 to 1955. Following his military service, he worked at Bishops Garage in Eau Claire. He then embarked on a long and fulfilling career as a Refrigeration Engineer at Gerald A. Fisher Co., now Fisher Refrigeration in South Bend, where he worked for 41 years, until his retirement in 2006. Richard was passionate about his work and cherished the client relationships and friendships he built throughout his career. He truly loved his work.
Rich’s hobbies included fishing and deer hunting. His hunting adventures to the Upper Peninsula of MI were the highlight of his life, every year. He loved taking his family camping and showing them the ropes. Snowmobiling, boating, water skiing and the Hartford Speedway were some of his favorites. He was a member of the Bridgman American Legion, Post 331 and enjoyed polka music and The Dank. These activities brought him much joy and laughter, but most of all he cherished time spent with family, especially his grandchildren.
Rich grew up attending church with his parents and it was always important to him. With all his travels for work, he only reconnected with the church toward the last chapter of his life. He, and his wife Charlotte, became members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bridgman, MI; and both were very excited to join the Church community.
Rich is survived by his wife of 60 years, Charlotte Schram; children, Richard Schram of Rothbury, MI, Cheryl (Doug) Breitbart of Bridgman, Carolyn (Paul) Toliver of Berrien Springs and Sally (Lauro) Lima of Melbourne, Australia; grandchildren, Ben (Kelly) Schram, Shaleen (Ryan) Arinsmeir, Albert (Tanya) Schram, Greg (Taylor) Toliver, Nicole Breitbart, Alex Breitbart, Holly Toliver and Tom (Amy) Hanson; great-grandchildren, Lily, Elliot, Henry, Stevie, Bo and Hadley. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Jr., and Lydia Schram; brothers, Donald Schram, Roland Schram and granddaughter, Megan Hanson.
The family would like to thank the care team from Corewell Health Hospice & Palliative Care, for their tremendous support and care over the past two-plus years. Also, thanks to Purpose Care for the home health aid provided over Rich’s last six weeks, and the VA in Mishawaka IN for their caring support.
A celebration of life will be held on November 30th with time and place to be announced closer to the date. Memorial contributions in Rich’s name may be made to Corewell Health Hospice & Palliative Care, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085 or Immanuel Lutheran Church, 9650 N. Church St., Bridgman MI 49106. Arrangements have been entrusted to Heritage Chapel, Berrien Springs, 269-471-2700. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.hertiage-chapel.com.
Rich was born on July 3, 1934 to Albert Jr., and Lydia (Baab) Schram in Benton Harbor, MI. He was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School, Class of 1953. On October 5, 1963 he married Charlotte M Sanders, of Eau Claire MI.
Richard served honorably in the Army from 1953 to 1955. Following his military service, he worked at Bishops Garage in Eau Claire. He then embarked on a long and fulfilling career as a Refrigeration Engineer at Gerald A. Fisher Co., now Fisher Refrigeration in South Bend, where he worked for 41 years, until his retirement in 2006. Richard was passionate about his work and cherished the client relationships and friendships he built throughout his career. He truly loved his work.
Rich’s hobbies included fishing and deer hunting. His hunting adventures to the Upper Peninsula of MI were the highlight of his life, every year. He loved taking his family camping and showing them the ropes. Snowmobiling, boating, water skiing and the Hartford Speedway were some of his favorites. He was a member of the Bridgman American Legion, Post 331 and enjoyed polka music and The Dank. These activities brought him much joy and laughter, but most of all he cherished time spent with family, especially his grandchildren.
Rich grew up attending church with his parents and it was always important to him. With all his travels for work, he only reconnected with the church toward the last chapter of his life. He, and his wife Charlotte, became members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bridgman, MI; and both were very excited to join the Church community.
Rich is survived by his wife of 60 years, Charlotte Schram; children, Richard Schram of Rothbury, MI, Cheryl (Doug) Breitbart of Bridgman, Carolyn (Paul) Toliver of Berrien Springs and Sally (Lauro) Lima of Melbourne, Australia; grandchildren, Ben (Kelly) Schram, Shaleen (Ryan) Arinsmeir, Albert (Tanya) Schram, Greg (Taylor) Toliver, Nicole Breitbart, Alex Breitbart, Holly Toliver and Tom (Amy) Hanson; great-grandchildren, Lily, Elliot, Henry, Stevie, Bo and Hadley. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Jr., and Lydia Schram; brothers, Donald Schram, Roland Schram and granddaughter, Megan Hanson.
The family would like to thank the care team from Corewell Health Hospice & Palliative Care, for their tremendous support and care over the past two-plus years. Also, thanks to Purpose Care for the home health aid provided over Rich’s last six weeks, and the VA in Mishawaka IN for their caring support.
A celebration of life will be held on November 30th with time and place to be announced closer to the date. Memorial contributions in Rich’s name may be made to Corewell Health Hospice & Palliative Care, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085 or Immanuel Lutheran Church, 9650 N. Church St., Bridgman MI 49106. Arrangements have been entrusted to Heritage Chapel, Berrien Springs, 269-471-2700. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.hertiage-chapel.com.
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