Richard L. Schiefelbusch
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Richard (Dick) Schiefelbusch, 102, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2020 at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor in the company of family. Dick touched the lives of many people with his humor, wit, and positive outlook on life. He viewed each day as a new adventure, and helping others became his life’s mission. He enjoyed gardening, writing, KU basketball, golfing with buddies, creating aphorisms, birthday celebrations, and he had an abundance of friends and colleagues who brightened his days, especially in his later years.
Dick was born on July 23, 1918 in Osawatomie, KS, the son of Edward and Emma (Martie) Schiefelbusch. He graduated from Pittsburg State Teacher’s College and taught school for a year before joining the military at the start of World War II. He married Ruth Magee on September 20, 1942 in Elko, Nevada during flight training. Dick was an Army Air Corps Lieutenant and became a navigator on B-24 bombers. His plane was shot down in May 1943, and he spent 2 years in POW camps in Germany. He was freed from prison camp by General Patton and his troops and returned home in June 1945.
Dick was a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. He earned his PhD from Northwestern University and returned to Kansas in 1949 to start the KU Speech and Hearing Clinic. In 1955 he became the Director of the Bureau of Child Research and retired from KU in 1991.
He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth and his parents and siblings, Roma Cummings, Margaret Moberly, Russell Schiefelbusch, Max Schiefelbusch, Frances Schiefelbusch, daughter-in-law, Sue Schiefelbusch, and son-in-law, Dan McMillin.
Survivors include two daughters, Carol McMillin of Midlothian, TX; Jeanie Schiefelbusch (Gary Fenton) of Prairie Village, KS; son, Lary (Rhonda) Schiefelbusch of Chesterton, Indiana; six grandchildren; Elizabeth Schiefelbusch, Maggie Fenton, Jack Fenton, Heather McMillin Turner, Patrick McMillin, Chris McMillin, six great-grandchildren; Mandarin Schiefelbusch-Morelock, Violette Schiefelbusch-Morelock, Katie Turner, Will Turner, Josh McMillin, and Lykan McMillin.
Memorial contributions can be made to KU Endowment in Honor of Richard Schiefelbusch, PO Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044, 785-832-7400. To give online: kuendowment.org and click the red “Make a Gift” at the top center. For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.
Dick’s ashes will be interred at Pioneer Cemetery (west KU campus, south of the Lied Center) in Lawrence, Kansas at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 5th. Due to COVID-19 and safety precautions, we are asking family and friends to please respect and comply with social distancing and wear a mask. A celebration of life will be planned for July, 2021, at Plymouth Congregational Church.
Friends are welcome to attend in person or while listening to the service from their vehicles on the radio station 89.7 FM provided by Warren McElwain.
https://lifespan.ku.edu/newsroom/Schiefelbusch-leaves-legacy
Dick’s personality and values will remain with Ann and me till the day we die.
His embrace of people less able proved to others that he regarded them NOT as less worthy. His prolific research and skill at steering all that federal money from DC to KU is legendary; and his enthusiastic and kind but strategic leadership was the foundation for an internationally highly regarded research and training institute, the entity named for him.
I will miss him and was privileged to talk with him from time to time when Ann telephoned him, most recently about a week before he died.
I also take a deep bow to his daughter Jeannie; she was faithful and strong and loving throughout his life, especially at its end: a testament to Dick’s role as a parent.
Fare thee well, Dick; ascend with certainty; you leave your spirit behind, your values embedded into us, and your laughter cheering us, even now.
I’m so privileged to get to know Dick. I loved his smiles, and all his wonder stories of adventures.
Carmen, therapy department at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
I had the honor and privilege of taking care of this man when I worked at the nursing home he lived at he was remarkable. He was a world war II veteran that was shot down and spent two years as a POW in Nazi Germany he came out of that with a passion to do good for people,he was smart as a whip and he used to tell me he was the old man of the prairie and he never lost his sense of humor. Well done in life Dick. Rest in paradise sir
My condolences to mr. Schiefelbusch family and friends. Mariam A. Smith
Your kindness of embracing my sister in her field of work and your dauterinlaw ,will never be forgotten. Gone but will never fogotten
My Prayers and Condolences to the entire Schiefibush Family.❤️????????
My condolences to mr. Schiefelbusch family and friends. Mariam A. Smith
Your kindness of embracing my sister in her field of work and as your dauterinlaw ,will never be forgotten. Gone but you will never be fogotten. Thanks for all your CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIETY YOUR WORKS WILL FOLLOW YOU BECAUSE THE SEEDS YOU PLANTED FELL ON GOOD SOIL ALL OVER THE WORLD THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE TIL LIFES END.
Dick’s legacy, covers a wide array of significant contributions that have impacted the disability community and the professionals serving them through research, Education and care. What may be most central to these contributions, are his personal attributes. He was a caring person, a mentor for endless students and young colleagues and an advocate for families and caregivers. These behaviors were natural for him and sensed by all who knew him. When I came to the University of Kansas, I knew his work, but did not know him personally. He soon became my mentor. In reality, my teacher. That continued throughout my career. I was but one of many who were fortunate to have that relationship. It is hard to think of anyone in the University of Kansas community whose work has contributed more to the reputation of the University. He is missed.
Dr. Schiefelbusch was an inspiration for me. I became a speech and hearing therapist at K.U. He had a magical attraction to children, I observed him several times when I sat in on a session with children. The children sensed he was special. They could not get close enough to this man and their attention did not waver.
Sue Wright
Dr. Schiefelbusch’s abundant life is one to celebrate. My sincere sympathy to Carol and her entire family.
My father was Douglas Myers, who was the co-pilot of the B-24 that Dr. Schiefebusch was navigator on when the were shot down in WWII.
May Dr. Schiefebusch “rest in peace”.
Dick Schiefelbusch attended my church. He was absolutely the nicest person and so interested in life. He shared with me his “Schiefelbuschisms”. What a wise and funny take on life! Such a charming fellow. It seemed he had a wonderful life. So sorry for your loss. Candice Davis
Dick Schiefelbusch attended my church. He was absolutely the nicest person and so interested in life. He shared with me his “Schiefelbuschisms”. What a wise and funny take on life! Such a charming fellow. It seemed he had a wonderful life. So sorry for your loss.
Our condolences to the Schiefelbusch family. May the peace of God rule your hearts and minds during this time of bereavement and beyond. God bless you, with love.
~ Peter Burks & Angela Fulgham -Old Landmark Church, Chicago, IL
In this sorrowful time, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Schiefelbusch family. We will sadly be unable to attend the celebration of life, due to our being out of town. May the love of those around you provide comfort and peace to get you through the days ahead.
– John Solbach