Richard B. Schatz

Richard Bernard Schatz went to heaven on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 10:10 AM surrounded by his sister and Nova Center of the Ozarks caregivers at his home in Springfield, MO.

Richard Bernard Schatz was born on September 27, 1955 in Springfield, MO to John Bernard Schatz and Agnes Katherine (Berghaus) Schatz. He grew up on Clover Ridge Guernsey Farm outside Billings MO. He attended Special Education classes in various locations in the Springfield Public School System. He later attended Greene Valley State School on Pythian Street in Springfield MO until the age of 21.

He then went to work at the Springfield Sheltered Workshop on Bennett St. In 1972, Richard moved into Crest-Lyn Group Home in Forsyth, MO. He worked for Tantone Industries in Branson, MO. In 1994 he moved to the Springfield/Bolivar MO area where he lived in a couple different group homes. In February 2015, he moved into an ISL (Independent Supported Living) operated by the Nova Center of the Ozarks where he continued to live until the time of his death.

He enjoyed trains, rockets, visiting the airport to see planes, fire trucks, motorcycles, attending the Ozarks Steam Engine Association, Steam-O-Rama, looking at books (including Marvel Comics) and working jigsaw puzzles. He enjoyed attending church services and activities including a Special Needs (Sunday School) class as long as he was able at St. Agnes Cathedral, Springfield, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Richard is survived by his loving sister, Elizabeth, the Rapp and Rippee families, and many cousins and friends.

Elizabeth is very grateful to Integrity Hospice and Nova Center of the Ozarks for their wonderful care of Richard during his last illness.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Nova Center of the Ozarks, 1311 E. Woodhurst Drive, Springfield, MO 65804 or St. Agnes Cathedral Building Fund, 533 S. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806.

There will be a Prayer Service at 4:00 pm on Sunday, November 16 in the Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Chapel followed by Visitation. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Agnes Cathedral at 10:00 am on Monday, November 17, 2025. Burial will follow at 1:00 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Billings, Missouri.