Richard George Schram
(aka Reggie)

Richard was born on December 6, 1953 at Lamont Archer Memorial Hospital. He was raised on a farm just outside of Bruderhiem, Alberta. As he grew old enough he helped his parents with the farming, from milking cows, raising chickens, and most importantly working on the field. This is how he got his talent for fixing machinery. When Richard finished school he went on to further his education as a Heavy Duty Mechanic and got his certificate. After finishing secondary school Richard got a job at John Deere in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. He then met Carolyn MacDonald, and they married on August 10, 1979. Shortly after, the joy of his life, Karla Ann was born on November 8, 1979.
In the early 80’s Richard opened up his own mechanic business in Lamont, Alberta which he called Shadow Mechanical. Richard was a jack of all trades, from mechanics to welding, and even doing woodwork. Karla mentioned that he was even a good cook. He made a mean omelette and delicious lasagna.
In 1992 Richard decided he would try something different and started working at a wild boar and buffalo farm. That man must have spent too much time with those boars. Every time he laughed he would start snorting. Now we know where we get it from. Richard also did his own farming around Bruderhiem and helped out Uncle Jack with his harvesting.
In November of 2013 Richard moved to Flin Flon and reunited with his daughter Karla and his grandchildren. He had to make some big changes in order to make things work. He did! They got to make up for lost time. Karla was proud of her dad, and extremely happy to have him back in her life. She watched him be a grandpa to her children, and became a great grandpa.
Richard loved to fish and would spend hours with his grandsons teaching them all about fishing, and how to make their own lures. He used his granddaughter’s beads, some pipe cleaners and even Brooke’s nail polish and paint.
He took great pride in all of his work and his little tricks. When I say jack of all trades, yes, he even had a green thumb. Richard helped Karla make her son’s birthday wish come true, planting a garden on the deck. He even made his own watering can out of a milk jug. They had a beautiful garden on the deck. We came out there from Alberta to visit, and I couldn’t believe it! Those tomato plants were bigger that the ones in my garden.
Their love for gardening moved inside with the garden tower. There they watched their passion grow. Richard set the light timer on it, to tell the kids or company when it was time for bed. “Grandpa says goodnight.”
Richard was a kind man with a rough and tough exterior. Once you caught a glimpse of those blue eyes you knew underneath it all, he had a very kind soul with a big heart. He loved kids, he would often joke about being Santa, but Karla and the grandchildren never bought that one. They figured he resembled Uncle Si off of Duck Dynasty. Sorry Dad! Sorry Grandpa! Some would say he had a resemblance of Gandalf off of Lord of the Rings. Sorry Ricky!
Richard loved watching old westerns especially if John Wayne was in them, and of course his fishing shows. I think that’s where he got all of his ideas from to make those lures. Many nights him and Karla would play crib. Karla always thought it was funny when he got “19”. There wasn’t very many times he won that game. She felt he was always letting her win. That was their father and daughter time.
I’m pretty sure Richard had a joke book. How could any person remember that many jokes! He never told the same one twice. You could be in a deep conversation and boom he would come up with a joke related to it.
Before Richard moved to Flin Flon we were all crowded in my van heading to Flin Flon. Richard and my son Michael, two big boys, squished in the very back, all was quiet and out of nowhere Richard cracks a joke. From complete silence to rip-roaring laughter. He also loved doing magic tricks for the kids. Till today no one has figured out his string trick. I know my kids would always say “How did Reggie do that!” They would try and try, but still couldn’t figure it out.
Richard leaves to mourn his loving daughter Karla and her partner Brad. His only granddaughter Brooke, three grandsons Alexander, Braden and Mason and his great granddaughter Sadie. His sister Mary Anne, brother Ryan and his nephew Jake. Plus all his family and friends in Alberta, and some very special people to him in Flin Flon.
Until we meet again Reggie….I’m sorry we are not there to say goodbye, but all of our special memories of you will remain deep in Rodney’s and my heart. Rest in Peace our dear friend.

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