Richard E. Schanbacher, 81, of Fairhope, died peacefully on May 15, 2014.
Rich was born in Hannibal, Mo. to Corinne and Carl Schanbacher on Dec. 8, 1932, the third of four sons.
Following an idyllic childhood in Hannibal, he earned a B.A. in business from the University of Missouri, Columbia, where he was president of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.
After active service in the Navy, Rich spent his career of 50 years as a salesman and financial advisor with New York Life Insurance Co., earning the CLU and ChFC designations.
During his career, Rich served as president of the Estate Planning Council of Greater St. Louis, president of the Society of Chartered Life Underwriters and Financial Consultants (CLU,ChFC) and president of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA).
Rich served as guardian ad litem for children in the St. Louis foster care system, and was a dedicated and active supporter of Parkway United Church of Christ in Town and Country, Mo., Audubon Society, St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Symphony and Habitat for Humanity.
After his move to Fairhope, he attended First Baptist Church.
Rich enjoyed sports events (Go Cards!), traveling, gardening, bird watching and reading of history and current events.
Rich was universally loved and admired by his many friends who knew him for his kind, loving, generous nature and his delightful sense of humor. Uppermost, however, was his devotion to and joy in his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Judy Bryant Schanbacher; children, Andy Schanbacher and Anne (Todd) Hickey; stepsons, Doug (Alejandra) Bryant and Tom (Sara) Bryant; grandchildren, Nathan, Connor and Dylan Hickey, and Ariel, Lucas and Lilia Bryant; brothers, Carl (Bud) Schanbacher and Bill (Anne) Schanbacher; sister-in-law, Jan Schanbacher; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his eldest brother, Albert G. Schanbacher; and Nancy McIntyre Frappier.
Memorial services are May 31, 2014, at 2 p.m., at First Baptist Church in Fairhope and June 10, 2014, at 10 a.m., at Parkway UCC in Town and Country, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Shepard’s Place, 155 S. Section St., Fairhope, Alabama 36532.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Fairhope.
