CHARLES RICHARD SCHUENEMANN
12/11/1941 - 11/16/2023
Charles Richard (Dick) Schuenemann, a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at the age of 81. He was a man of extraordinary principle, who truly cherished the goodness of life and the love of family.
Dick was born in Houston, Texas, on December 11, 1941, to Diedrich Hugo Wilhelm and Mamie Martha Blaise Schuenemann. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1959. He proudly attended Texas A&M University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics in 1963.
Dick was a life-long Lutheran, having been baptized, confirmed and a member of Park Place Lutheran Church. He later joined
Faith Lutheran Church in Bellaire, where he remained a member for the remainder of his life. While Dick’s faith was evident, his devotion to his family was unparalleled, and he cherished every moment spent loving them and supporting them, most especially, Candy, his wife of nearly 54 years. She remains the undeniable love of his life, and his very best friend.
Dick and Candy met at Austin High in the Fall of 1958, becoming high school sweethearts until his graduation in May of 1959. Though they saw each other less frequently in the years that followed, a chance encounter in January of 1969, led to a dinner invitation the following evening. One date led to many more, adding a second and final chapter of a fairy tale love story that started 10 years earlier. Dick and Candy married on December 6, 1969. Two became four with the additions of Kyle in October of 1970, and Ashley in November of 1974. In the years that followed, they lovingly welcomed Kyle’s wife, Kimberly, and Ashley’s husband Thad. And last but certainly not least, they were blessed with the gift of four beautiful grandchildren: Thomas, Blaise, Michael, and Josie. Dick and Candy’s love for one another has been a blessing, a source of inspiration, and an amazing gift to their children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends. They epitomized, represented, and reflected what a true and Godly love looks like.
Dick was a kind and gentle soul, possessing a quick and dry wit, quietly committed to a life of strong character, ethics and a moral compass that pointed firmly North. He never met a stranger, was the first to laugh at his own jokes, did not take himself too seriously, and could be found most often in the stands or on the sidelines ardently supporting his children and grandchildren. He had many passions in life, but none more important than his beloved bride, his family, the Houston Astros, and the Fightin’ Texas Aggies. He was a proud member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, serving in Company A-1, known around campus as “Animal A”. Following graduation, Dick was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army on July 25th, 1964, later serving his country in Vietnam.
Dick started his career with IBM where he learned to write, read, and decipher computer code for the original IBM mainframe computer systems. He spent many years with the Glazier Foods Companies, before going out on his own as a Computer Consultant.
Dick is survived by his wife Carolyn (Candy) Allred Schuenemann, his brother John Robert Schuenemann, his son Kyle Richard Schuenemann and wife Kimberly Thomas Schuenemann, his daughter Ashley Schuenemann Davis and husband Thad Thomas Davis, and his grandchildren Thomas Kyle Schuenemann, Elizabeth Blaise Schuenemann, Michael Thad Davis, and Josie Erin Davis. He was preceded in death by his parents Diedrich and Mamie Schuenemann, and his sister Mary Lou Stebler.
Dick’s memory will remain with us as a blessing for the remainder of our lives, and we will work every day to emulate the goodness that defined him. He will be missed, but his legacy will continue to shine a light of faith, hope, and love.
A Memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29th, at Faith Lutheran Church, 4600 Bellaire Boulevard in Bellaire, Texas. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that contributions be directed to Kids’ Meals Houston, or the charity of your choice.