Richard Schoeneman
Age - 97
December 6, 2023
On Sunday, December 3, 2023, Richard Howard Schoeneman (Dick), peacefully passed in his sleep at 10 pm while listening to Christmas music and holding his daughter, Lisa's hand. Anyone who knew Dick also knew that regardless of what was going on or who was there, at 10 pm he would announce "goodnight, folks, it's my bedtime". It is only fitting that he left this life the way he lived it. Dick was born in Monroe County New York on March 11, 1926, to the parents of Thelma Campbell and Howard G. Schoeneman. Dick's primary years were spent living with his grandmother who raised him and his sister after his dad passed from latent effects of being gassed in the trenches of WW1 when Dick was 10 months old. Nine years later his mother remarried, and Dick and his sister Thelma moved to Vermont. After graduating high school Dick attended the University of Vermont on an Academic Scholarship while also working evenings stocking shelves at a grocery store. In September 1944 Dick was drafted into the Army. He was selected to attend West Point in the summer of 1945. There he competed at collegiate level in both water-polo and squash, along with being a member of the rifle marksman team. After graduating in the top five percent of his class Dick was eligible to join the Air Force pilot training school. Dick received his first call sign "Scooter" Schoeneman as his instructor could not pronounce his last name. When he became the Wing Commander of Phu-Cat Air Base in Vietnam he then received the call name "Cobra-1". Dick flew jets as a fighter pilot for 27 of his 30 years in the Air Force. He accumulated more than 5,000 sorties and hours with a check-ride in every fighter jet that entered the Air Force from 1949-1979. The Korean War was the first Jet verses Jets dogfight in air and Dick was one of those fighter pilots, accumulating more than 236 combat missions. Dick received the Aid-de-Camp assignment from General Michaelis at West Point with the promise to be assigned aggressor pilot at Nellis AFB. He was one of the youngest recipients of acquiring the rank of Brig. General. Dick was also one of two generals who received their first star without having a Headquarter assignment. Before choosing to retire at the age of 54, Dick was the 21st NORAD region commander and then finished his carrier as Commandant of the Air War College and Vice Commander of the Air University. Dick had an illustrious career with the Air Force finishing as a two star General. Despite his many accolades he was often described by many as the most unaffected general who treated all with respect. Dick met his wife, Peggy, when he was General Michaelis' Aid de Camp at West Point. He arranged his first date by dropping a note in her office mailbox. They were married in 1953 and the wedding reception was in General Michaelis' backyard garden. They went on to have four boys Curt, Paul, John, and James between May of 1953 and the summer of 1958. Ten years later their first daughter Kay was born and two years later their second daughter Lisa was born. Dick was assigned to Hulburt Field and fell in love with the Emerald Coast which is where they chose to build their forever home on Rocky Bayou in Niceville. This is where he discovered his love of deep-sea fishing, spending as much time as possible on the gulf during fishing season on his 28 ft Drummond. Dick also had a ski boat that he took his family out on and patiently allowed them to perfect their skiing skills. During his retirement Dick also discovered his love and great aptitude at wood working. As a self-taught wood worker starting with picture frames after several years, he could build anything out of wood that you could describe. Dick was a devout Catholic all his life attending Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church of Niceville since he arrived in 1979 until the Covid pandemic closed churches. Throughout his time at Holy Name he contributed to the church with his wood working skills making numerous items including the alter table and Christmas candle stand that are still used today. Maj. Gen Richard (Dick) Schoeneman is survived by his wife of 70 years Margaret (Peggy) Schoeneman, his two sons John P. Schoeneman (Lori) of Harrisburg, NC, and James S. Schoeneman (Penny) of Niceville, FL, his two daughters Kay M. Lee (David) of Gainesville, GA, and Lisa B. Schoeneman of Niceville, FL, his six grandchildren Aislinn Cuff (Kevin), John Schoeneman (Helen), Steven Lee, Jacob Lee (Taylor), Owen Piper, and Eric Piper, and his four great-grandchildren Kadence Cuff, Ailee Cuff, Ariel Schoeneman, and Eliana Schoeneman. He was proceeded in death by his father, Howard G. Schoeneman, his mother, Mary T. Campbell, his stepfather, John Neilson, his sister Thelma G. Bolen, and his two oldest sons, Curt M. Schoeneman, and Paul J. Schoeneman.
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