Richard E. Schalow

FLORENCE, WI - Richard E. Schalow, 81, of Florence passed away Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Marshfield Medical Center - Dickinson in Iron Mountain. Richard was born September 18, 1944, in Kansas City, MO, son of the late Edward and Pauline (Hainey) Schalow. He was raised in Hammond, IN where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Margaret “Maggie” Earl on July 14, 1964. They resided in Hammond for several years and eventually moved to Spread Eagle, Wisconsin in 1974. A true jack-of-all-trades, Richard’s vast knowledge and determined work ethic made him the kind of person others naturally turned to in times of need. At the age of 49 he was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy but that did not put a damper on his determination to work. He then teamed up with his sons, Rick and Rob to purchase a truck and hauled freight cross-country for FedEx Custom Critical, sharing both the open road and unforgettable experiences. In 2002, Richard purchased an RV and began splitting his time seasonally—spending summers in the beautiful Wisconsin Dells, where he served as a maintenance director at River Bay Premier Camping Resort, and wintering in the south as snowbirds. Later, he took on the role of golf course superintendent at The Four Seasons Resort in Pembine, a position that allowed him to combine his love of the outdoors with his take-charge spirit. Richard gave generously of his time to his community. He served on the Florence, WI Volunteer Fire Department as well as the Florence Rescue Squad as an EMT. Along with Dorothy Vayda and Pastor Doug Johnson, Richard was instrumental in developing the St. Vincent de Paul store in the Florence community. He was a faithful member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Florence. He is survived by his wife, Maggie; his 3 sons, Michael (Kris) Schalow of Iron Mountain, MI, Robert (Angela) Schalow of Aurora, WI, and Richard (Bonnie) Schalow, Jr. of Pembine, WI; 2 daughters, Dawn (Jack) Schuch of Spread Eagle, WI, and Carrie (Antonio) Rankin of Iron Mountain, MI; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law along with their spouses; and many nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, Richard was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Michael Arrigo. Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Florence, Wisconsin. A Memorial Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church, officiated by Fr. Soja Joseph. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Florence, Wisconsin. Condolences may be expressed to Richard’s family online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted arrangements to the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain.

Richard E. Schalow

September 18, 1944 - December 11, 2025