In Memory Of
Richard L. Schwindt
1951
2021
Richard L. Schwindt
March 6, 1951 — October 15, 2021
Richard Lynn Schwindt, 70, of Topeka, Kansas, died on Friday, October 15, 2021 in his home following a valiant battle with cancer.
Richard was born on March 6, 1951 in Enid, Oklahoma to Elmer Lawrence Schwindt and Emma Rose Schwindt (Bergman). In the late 1950's, and after winding down the family's farm in Oklahoma, Elmer moved the Schwindt family to Topeka, Kansas. With the help of Elmer's brother, Harold Schwindt, the family soon put down roots in the community. Elmer went to work for the Topeka public school system and Emma began going to school to renew her teaching certification in Kansas. After certification she taught in the Pauline public school system. Richard spent his formative years looking up to his big brother, Kendall Schwindt, as the two grew and eventually graduated from Highland Park High School.
Following graduation, Richard traveled across the country. Despite the freedom of adventure, Richard longed for home and soon returned to Topeka. Richard answered numerous calls to serve, both to his country and to his family. For his country, Richard served in both the Army National Guard and Air Guard. For his family, Richard took on the rigorous task of helping his parents recover from strokes. It was during this time Richard met his bride, then Emagene Kantack, and began his career. Richard married Emagene on September 15, 1973 in Topeka, Kansas, and began a lifelong journey that would see the family grow – in size and achievements. For Richard, little else came before providing for his family. He toiled in the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's Topeka Plant taking on countless tasks and making countless friends. Working in the plant left Richard with a deep sense of pride and hardened work ethic, which he instilled in his four children. Following his retirement from Goodyear, Richard kept busy driving a school bus for the Auburn-Washburn Unified School District. When he had a moment to spare, you could catch him playing any number of sports. From pickle ball to softball to volleyball, Richard loved competition and loved to be active.
Together, Richard and Emagene built a life for their children – Aaron, Andrew, Alex, and Alicia. His love for the water provided an endless stream of activities to share with his family. Richard inherited a love of waterskiing from his father, which he patiently taught. With his parent's experience to guide him, Richard emphasized the importance of education in his children's lives. His tireless work at Goodyear allowed Richard to support four children through college, with each becoming successful in their own unique areas. The progeny of Richard is expansive – a doctor, a therapist, a team leader, and a legacy at Goodyear itself. The determination and achievements of his children were his most cherished treasure.
During the height of the pandemic Richard was diagnosed with multiple forms of cancer. Braced by his conviction in Christ, once again Richard set aside his own comfort and chose to fight for his family. After a long and courageous battle with cancer which took him out of state, Richard decided to return home to Topeka one final time. Having waited for his brother, and with his bride by his side, Richard passed away peacefully on Friday, October 15, 2021 at the age of 70. All of Richard's children were present to love, hold, and send off Richard as he left this world. Richard was preceded in death by his father, Elmer and his mother, Emma. Richard is survived by his wife Emagene, his four children, Aaron (Amy), Andrew, Alex, and Alicia (Robert Vincent), his brother, Kendall, four grandchildren, Cooper, Corinne, Jillian, and Emma, as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews. While Richard is missed terribly, his presence can still be felt in the loyalty, reliability, honesty, and love he gifted us as a husband, father, and friend.
Richard's funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at Christ the King Parish, 5973 SW 25th St, Topeka, KS 66614. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any gifts be made to either St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.
To leave a message of condolence for Richard's family, or to share a special memory of Richard, visit the guestbook below.
Richard was born on March 6, 1951 in Enid, Oklahoma to Elmer Lawrence Schwindt and Emma Rose Schwindt (Bergman). In the late 1950's, and after winding down the family's farm in Oklahoma, Elmer moved the Schwindt family to Topeka, Kansas. With the help of Elmer's brother, Harold Schwindt, the family soon put down roots in the community. Elmer went to work for the Topeka public school system and Emma began going to school to renew her teaching certification in Kansas. After certification she taught in the Pauline public school system. Richard spent his formative years looking up to his big brother, Kendall Schwindt, as the two grew and eventually graduated from Highland Park High School.
Following graduation, Richard traveled across the country. Despite the freedom of adventure, Richard longed for home and soon returned to Topeka. Richard answered numerous calls to serve, both to his country and to his family. For his country, Richard served in both the Army National Guard and Air Guard. For his family, Richard took on the rigorous task of helping his parents recover from strokes. It was during this time Richard met his bride, then Emagene Kantack, and began his career. Richard married Emagene on September 15, 1973 in Topeka, Kansas, and began a lifelong journey that would see the family grow – in size and achievements. For Richard, little else came before providing for his family. He toiled in the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's Topeka Plant taking on countless tasks and making countless friends. Working in the plant left Richard with a deep sense of pride and hardened work ethic, which he instilled in his four children. Following his retirement from Goodyear, Richard kept busy driving a school bus for the Auburn-Washburn Unified School District. When he had a moment to spare, you could catch him playing any number of sports. From pickle ball to softball to volleyball, Richard loved competition and loved to be active.
Together, Richard and Emagene built a life for their children – Aaron, Andrew, Alex, and Alicia. His love for the water provided an endless stream of activities to share with his family. Richard inherited a love of waterskiing from his father, which he patiently taught. With his parent's experience to guide him, Richard emphasized the importance of education in his children's lives. His tireless work at Goodyear allowed Richard to support four children through college, with each becoming successful in their own unique areas. The progeny of Richard is expansive – a doctor, a therapist, a team leader, and a legacy at Goodyear itself. The determination and achievements of his children were his most cherished treasure.
During the height of the pandemic Richard was diagnosed with multiple forms of cancer. Braced by his conviction in Christ, once again Richard set aside his own comfort and chose to fight for his family. After a long and courageous battle with cancer which took him out of state, Richard decided to return home to Topeka one final time. Having waited for his brother, and with his bride by his side, Richard passed away peacefully on Friday, October 15, 2021 at the age of 70. All of Richard's children were present to love, hold, and send off Richard as he left this world. Richard was preceded in death by his father, Elmer and his mother, Emma. Richard is survived by his wife Emagene, his four children, Aaron (Amy), Andrew, Alex, and Alicia (Robert Vincent), his brother, Kendall, four grandchildren, Cooper, Corinne, Jillian, and Emma, as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews. While Richard is missed terribly, his presence can still be felt in the loyalty, reliability, honesty, and love he gifted us as a husband, father, and friend.
Richard's funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at Christ the King Parish, 5973 SW 25th St, Topeka, KS 66614. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any gifts be made to either St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.
To leave a message of condolence for Richard's family, or to share a special memory of Richard, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard L. Schwindt, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors