Rihard and I spent some time togeather back in 1975 or 76 up at Seatttle "Sea Fair 64 Funny Car" races at SIR, went over to Art Morrison's shop before he was on the map, followed Richard back to CA, taking one of his famous short cuts thru Klamath Falls still use that shortcut today thanks Richard.

Richard get well! we all need you and your sense of humor at the Drags

I, bet You dont remember making fun of the kid with the gas dragster at Martin, You %26 your crue were busting my balls about my Teams T shirts - The ones that said ( The only thing better in California was the weather )..! You called me out on it in the staging lanes - %26 I explained the logo was just a good way to sell T shirts in Chicago..! That regardless of were a craftsman came from, we all had a comon bond - like we are kinda linked up - only the true builders %26 thinkers share this.

Years latter at the SEMA show, You %26 I and Pro-Glass Bob spent time trying to figure out who I could sell My (Race Car with Licence plates Hot Rod project too) - as always - you had some great ideas %26 pointed me in a better direction.

When I was lucky enuff to be picked for MG 13, and I was sweating out how the F I was going to build a Wheel standing Ambulance in a week - You just cant beleive how relieved I was to walk into the garage for the first time %26 before I even saw you - I heard your voice %26 new it would all work out...!

Hey - Thats Richard...!

I wish I was a Cali guy somtimes - then I could of spent more time working with my hero's %26 Buds - True good guys like Richard.............

I hope you get to here this - I want you to know you were one of the people who I consedered lucky to have known %26 spent some time.

RMP

Dear Ones,

It was about 32 years ago that I first met the Schroeder family and in the midst of my own crisis, Rich and Danni became the most supportive of friends to me and remained so for many years. Life moved along, our kids grew up, and for several months Rich was my room-mate while Danni, Chris and Tina were visiting family. During those months I saw many sides of Rich but the deepest and most meaningful part of his life was his kids - I heard daily about every call and every accomplishment and every worry he had. I have no doubt that as his life has moved on through racing, announcing, Street Legal, and all of his other ventures the three of you have continued to be the most important people in his life. Christ and Tina and Beaux, you are his legacy in this world, and a gift to those of us who have known him because we will always see him in you.

Rich, you were the best room-mate anyone could have had -- you were hardly ever there! I admired your limitless energy and your focused ambition - you were the embodiment of commitment to a goal. When you were around, you were the kindest bear ever, and no one has ever given better hugs or had a bigger laugh.....I wonder if you know how much laughter you brought to the lives of your friends? You also showed us that every time life slammed a door and kicked your ass, another door opened somewhere if you did not give up looking for it.....you never let anything beat the hope out of you.

As your life continues to move forward, the blessing of your friendship remains with all who know you - there are so many who love you here, and in a life beyond this one there will be loving arms waiting for you. I will see you again, my dear friend. Until that time I keep you in my heart and ask God's blessing of peace for you and for your children.

With love and a hug until we meet,
Robbi

Richard - A little poem Beth and I wrote...

Like a flickering candle in the night,
People would shout, “Oh what a site.”
The man in the cowboy hat would race down the track,
The lights glowing against the night, dark as black.
Whether it was the big red dually pickup, called “Emergency West,”
That he would ride on the back wheels, with the front wheels at his chest.
Or, the Ford Focus, which he called “Focus This,”
With a jet engine, strapped to his ass.
Focus this, or you’ll be toast,
I’ll surely watch him come to a coast.
Whether in a wheel-stander or with a jet,
I am so glad that we have met.
But now, a nation of passed on racers awaits,
For him to wheel-stand through the pearly gates.

Dear Richard and Family,

Since this sport officially began at Goleta (Calif.) in '49, weened from more than a thousand racetracks, from the millions of spectators, to tens of thousands of competitors (from Top Fuel to footbrake rental car).... you know, the ones who've chosen to make this sport of drag racing their life, very few can attest to having even half as much commitment, fun and all-around passion as you've had, Richard.

From the cockpit of some of the more ominous (a.k.a. frightening) rides, always dripping with class and professionalism, to your jovial stance behind the microphone where you took command of the audience like Moses at water's edge, you have always been a one-of-a-kind kick in the pants, my friend.

Like everyone else, I'm shocked at the news of your current health, and please know that on the outskirts of the Appalachian Mountains, in a remote area of western Virginia, there's a family of five who are pulling for ya', praying for you and your loved ones.

It's hard to put one's finger on your greatest drag racing accomplishment, because your story has continually been rewritten with each passing year... wheelstanders, jets, early AFX/Funny Cars. Aside from even those, I believe you would have been a great comedian. Come to think of it, you 'were', who just happened to choose the drag racing stage, instead of Hollywood.

Your humorous tales of everyone from Steve Reyes and Bill Lloyd, to Bill Shrewsbury still ring in my ears, and at times you made us laugh so hard we hurt ourselves, goin' through a Kleenex box through the tears, in the process.

You are a gem, my friend. You were the "good times", during the best times.

Please take care, know again that you are loved so much, by so many. I'll be waiting for 'ya at half-track with my camera, just in case you slide 'er a little sideways!

A friend always,

Don, Barbara, Danielle, Thomas and Sara Gillespie

Richard,
Just got word that you are fighting the battle, my thoughts and prayers are certainly with you! Be strong and know that your friends are here for you.

Unk

I first met Richard face to face the first time I was the Tower announcer at Bakersfield Raceway, yeah Famoso, but that's what NHRA called it back in the early 90s when Warren Smith was track manager. I had seen Richard run the wheel standers for years and always thought was way cool, but had never met the man. He was doing the Truck shows at this point and on this day I was going to get the accelerated Richard Schoeder course in drag race announcing. Richard, of course, did a lot of the stuff himself and kept telling me I'd get to do a really cool part of the show later the "Burnouts." Later that day around dusk came the burnout competition and Richard let me loose with the wireless mic and track side I went. Truck after truck would have it's front wheels chocked with wood blocks and start "smok'n the hides" and from clouds of bilious white smoke I would exalt their accomplishments until the International Cab Over Tractor Pulled Up. This thing was a real deal TRUCK. Four Big Ass truck tires on the rear axle and stand'n 8'/9' high you had to step up into it. I was a little intimidated and when he started that baby up and started smok'n the hides there was smoke for days. So much smoke that within 30 seconds I could not see the truck, the spectators couldn't see me or the truck, and all you could see was SMOKE. I soon realized that the only thing between me and the semi I could not see in the smoke were two blocks of wood, so I quickly went in a direction other than where the sound of the engine was and declared this guy the BURNOUT CHAMPION. Richard came over immediately congratulated me on a good job and off mic commented that I might have a future in this business. Well, about 18 years later and still in the Tower at the Auto Club Famoso Raceway, 13 years with the Good Guys VRA and visits with Richard in the Tower down in Pomona when we'd run the Nitro Nationals Richard, it's been a hell of a part time job. It even took me to Australia ten times where I did, of course, BURNOUTS. I have met a lot of great people in drag racing over the years and have some of the very best friends, but I only have three heroes. Steve Evans, Big Mack and YOU. We Love Ya Man.

wish u could stay here

Thank you everyone for all of your love and support. I know how much he cherishes and appreciates each and everyone whos lives he has touched. Thank you again.

Rich,we were shocked to hear of your illness. We are praying for you and your family my friend.
Wady,Mike Thermos, and the crew @ Nitrous Supply.

Hi Richard:

We never met but every time I try to get one of those plastic cups out of the wrappers they put on ‘em in the less expensive motels I think of you. Some where I remember you going into quite a long "spiel" on how tough a job that always was. I really don't remember what track. Had to be during an oil down. Couldn't have been Puyallup because of course they never really paused for oil downs there. Anyway I do remember that and hearing you on the PA at a lot of tracks. You always kept the show going. Of course I also remember seeing your "wheelstander" many times.

Thinking of you and hoping you get well soon. Take Care!

John Hamlin - "The Joker - Norton-Kalivoda-Hamlin" Seattle

Richard, I just heard from Bill Holland and I want you to know that my prayers are with you. You are one of the guys that as I look back over my life you had a rather large influence (pardon the pun). All the stuff with the wheelstanders in the late 60's and early 70's helped define what I am and what I do today and I owe you a great deal for that. I have always considered you a good friend. It's time's like this that makes me wish I had spent the extra five minutes catching up when we would see each other at an event or where ever our path's would cross. Richard, take care and God Bless, Art

We had a ton of fun over the years and to have you as a friend for some 4 decades has meant much to me. From drag strips far and wide to that first big screen TV at Shuster Paw -- thru good times and bad, you always made me laugh. To quote your most famous line, "You need to do this." - you need to remember all the great times in your life and all the lives you touched here... may we meet again. I love ya buddy. Don

Hi Richard,
It's been a long time since our paths crossed at Sears Point in the 90's. We're making a video of the early Funny Car days and the 66' Emerald Nova will be in the program. Remember the shaving cream deal at the line? What great memories! I believe you also started the track on fire with your red Nova wheelstander, throwing all those sparks, and that long smoky burnout that went on forever. What a great showman and gentleman you are. Sorry to hear you're not doing well. Know that your glory days in that Green 66' Nova at Fremont will be enjoyed by Drag Racing fans all over the world for all time. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Your Fans Forever....Jamie %26 Sonny Jackson

Richard - Wishing you the best. I have come to hate the C word, as time passes.
Do the best you can and know that I care. Be proud, you have left your mark in this incredible sport we all have been involved in for many years, Think of all the folks you have brought joy to and the children, whos eyes you have lit up like an afterburner.
My best to you and yours - Patty

Richard..........
Really sorry to hear you are under the weather.
Thanks for the kind remarks from the tower over the years. You and Bernie Mather were still the best ever, bar none.
Thanks for so many many memories you have given us all. You were exciting on and off the Mic. I will always remember that Tire Smokin Chevy!!! I first saw that car at Fremont.
Can not remember the last time we got to chat. Hang in there Richard, we will keep you and your family in our prayers.

I will never forget you my friend!!!!
Wayne King and Crew

Rich,
Always enjoyed the converations we had at various drag strips
while working for Drag News in the 60's. You put on quite a
wherever you appeared. Thanks for all you contributions to the
the sport.
Bud De Boer

Richard,

Rest assured that you have the hopes and prayers of the many, many people you've touched in the racing and performance world. Thank you for the times we shared comparing notes and, of course, the intense conversations. Your in my thoughts. Take care!

TC

Richard,

I saw you run the "Emergency West" years ago at Union Grove and I remember that you put on a great show. All the best to You and Your Family %26 Friends.

Dave Labs

I learned a lot from you in the tower at LACR. You always had fun on the PA and you helped me to as well. Thanks

Richard,
You can be proud of the things you've done in Drag Racing, and for the sport in general.
You've thrilled many a spectator and are a true showman.
Be strong, you'll be remembered for many years to come.
Thank you Richard for being you.

Bob %26 Glenda Gibson
Tom %26 Jerry
Nostalgia Funny Car

Thankx for all the wonderful memories my friend. We should have been on top of the world with Street Legal Imports...they just weren't ready for us....Seems like I just saw you uesterday at Dave Danish's celebration of Life...You will be missed...your photog..tim marshall

Schroeder....you have always been one of my very favorite people and a special friend. Didn't we have a good time at Kuhl's? Although we've not seen each other for a few years, I've thought of you often.
Love %26 hugs,
Pat

Shrodo:
When I first met you back in our high school years I lusted for something as fast as your white '57 Chevy Bel Air hardtop.
And then you and Steve Nanny fielded some pretty awesom machines. Lions...San Gabe. Those were fun days. We had some
interesting video projects, too. I don't know exactly how to express myself in this situation, other than to let you know that I'm
thinking about you and will always be greatful that our paths crossed. Hang tough!

Just to add my name to those whose thoughts are with you now. I have been a fan for so many years that I couldnt count them all. I remember watching the AMX Wheelie Rambler run up in the Northwest forever ago and from that through the others (Emergancy West was my all time fave wheel stander) to the Focus the entertainment has been just fabulous. You were the guy that guaranteed that nobody went to the snack bar when you were up!

Richard, I love ya man..., you have been a real added pleasure to my life...always pure entertainment during all the ups and downs over the past 40 years! My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Your pal, John

Our prayers and thoughts are with richard and family. tel him Cookie still need glasses. joe

Chris,

Our prayers are with Richard, you, and the family. We've always had a great friendship and mutual respect for one another in this incredible business of professional drag racing.

Many years ago, faced with a challenge in terms of our ProJet Banquet host needs, it was my idea to invite Richard to be the MC at our ProJet banquet. I thought he was absolutely the 'right guy for the job', he did a great job, and we had a wonderful time. He did a real 'PRO' job. My wife adds "I always laughed and laughed at his jokes."

In this difficult time, just know that all of Richard's friends are thinking positive thoughts of and for him and his family.

Regards,

Al Hanna
Ellen Hanna
Rich Hanna
Hanna Motorsports Jets

We want to extend our thoughts and prayers to you Richard.
Sincerely,
Fran %26 Phil Peppler
Rock N Roll Thunder Jet Funny Car
St.Charles, IL

I want to thank everyone for their support over the last several weeks.