Richard C. "Rick" Schroeder Jr.—a loving, generous, caring husband, brother, and uncle—took his first breath in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on January 13, 1962, and his last in the ICU at UW–Madison Hospital on May 1, 2025, at the age of 63. Between those dates he served in the United States Navy, built a long career in technical support, logged countless miles on hiking trails, doted on his dogs, and filled every room with laughter and practical kindness.

Raised in southeastern Wisconsin, Rick graduated from Westfield High School in 1980 and soon swapped textbooks for sea charts on board the USS Kansas City (AOE-3), serving with the U.S. Navy from 1983 to 1988.

Rick spent many years providing technical support at TDS Telecom, retiring in January 2023. When he wasn't debugging laptops, he was outside with his wife Marcie—hiking, brewing a new recipe, reading sci-fi, or testing the latest computer game. Barley, their loyal dog, was never far from his side.

Rick is survived by siblings John (Karen) Pfeifer; Patrick C., Timothy P.(Mel), Daniel M.(Shannon), and Margaret S. Schroeder; stepson Joel (Cindy) Sass; three grandchildren; one great-grandson; a tribe of nieces and nephews who unanimously elected him "Best Uncle Ever"; and a circle of ICU caregivers—especially nurse Jessi Gardner—who became family in the crucible of suffering.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard C. Sr. and Alice M. (Myhill) Schroeder; and by his beloved wife, Marcia Elise "Marcie" (Mente) Schroeder. They married on March 11 1995, and shared just shy of twenty-seven years before Marcie's passing on February 6 2022.

Rick beat cancer, out-stubborned COPD, and in November 2024 endured a double-lung transplant and double bypass surgery. His care team called him "the patient who never quit, no matter how hard the ask." That grit lasted until his body quit ahead of his spirit and fight.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Rick's Life will be held at the Free Congregation Hall at 309 Polk Street Sauk City on Saturday June 14th.  Visitation will be at 11 AM and service at noon.  The family invites you to a small reception immediately after the services at Vintage Brewing 600 Water St, Sauk City.

Memorials may be made in Rick's name to the Humane Society of the United States (https://www.humanesociety.org) or sent ℅ Hooverson Funeral Homes, P.O. Box 86, Sauk City, Wisconsin 53583.

Online condolences may be made at hooversonfuneralhomes.com