Richard C. Schaack

Richard Charles Schaack, age 87, passed away on August 13, 2024, in Watertown, SD.  Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown.  Rev. Ken Nelson will officiate.  The funeral service will be live-streamed via our website.

Visitation will be at the funeral home prior to the funeral on Friday, starting at 10:00 a.m.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown.  Active pallbearers will be Kevin Duffy, Joe Heiser, and Max Heiser.

Richard was born on December 26, 1936 in Watertown to Paul P. and Jennie (McPeek) Schaack.  He attended McKinley Elementary School and Watertown High School graduating in 1955.  Following high school Richard attended South Dakota State University.  He was drafted into the army and served from 1958-1960 and again in 1961-1962 when he was recalled to active duty during the Berlin Crisis.  After he was honorably discharged, he returned to school at SDSU where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management in 1965.

Prior to graduation, Richard worked for the Department of Fish and Game in Glen Allen, Alaska.  Upon graduation he began his career with the US Fish and Wildlife Service - National Fish Hatchery System.  He served in hatcheries in Michigan, South Dakota, Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado and Wisconsin.

On November 3, 1962 Richard married June Matthes at Immanuel (Our Saviors) Lutheran church in South Shore, SD.  He retired from the US Fish and Wildlife Service at Genoa, WI in 1993.  He and June then moved to South Shore, SD.  During retirement, they enjoyed spending winters in Southern Texas.  Richard’s hobbies included fishing, hunting, playing pinochle and cheering on the Minnesota Twins and Vikings.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.  Richard was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in South Shore.  He and June moved to Watertown in 2020.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters: Caroline Kant, Darlene Letze & Lorraine Acker and three brothers: Donald, Clifford & Kenneth.

Richard is survived by his wife, June of Watertown; two daughters: Kristi (John) Duffy of Roseville, MN & Nancy (Alex) Heiser of Bismarck, ND, five grandchildren: Jimmy, Kevin, Colleen, Max & Joe and three sisters-in-law: Esther Schaack of Watertown, SD, Adeline Schaack of Watertown, SD and Karon Schaack of Rapid City, SD.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant, Arlington, Lake Preston, Oldham

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard C. Schaack, please visit our floral store.