A Man of Faith, Family, and Fortitude - RIP Frederick E. (Rick) Schlomann 1953-2015
By Jay Beatty
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Along with his twin sister, Margaret (Peg), Frederick E. Schlomann, better known to his family and friends as Rick — was born on Christmas Day in Virginia in 1953 and succumbed to cancer this past Sunday at 61 years of age.
Born to Ernst and Eleanor (Allen) Schlomann, Rick was raised in Haiti, Brazil, and Costa Rica with home visits to family in Woodstock, NY every two years or so. He frequently worked behind the stage on productions his mother directed. She was an actor, writer, director, teacher, cellist, and Washington, DC area radio program host, who became an Equity-cardholder late in life. His father, born in Munich, Germany, served as reporter for the War Crimes Trials in Nuremberg, Germany, and later served with the US Department of State –USAID.
Rick graduated from Escola Americana in Rio de Janeiro in 1971 and returned to the United States to attend SUNY Oswego where he received a BA in English.
He worked in sales for Brentanos, as book-buyer for Schermer Music, and as a sales rep for Avon Books before attending Pace University in New York to study for an MBA in International Finance.
His fluency in Spanish and Portuguese led to work in international banking with Chemical Bank and Bayerische Vereinsbank, AG, and later UniCredit. In addition to the United States, he worked in most countries of South America, Russia, and parts of Asia, later focusing on making problem loans profitable, and keeping businesses operating.
Many Interests
Rick loved to do many things. He often played baseball in Cow Meadow in Central Park with tons of friends, celebrated wins and soothed losses with friends afterward. He enjoyed a membership at the Museum of Modern Art even when he could not afford to eat lunch. He loved the Metropolitan Opera so much that all three children sang with the Met Children’s Chorus for Elena Doria. He indulged his passion for Gilbert & Sullivan while supporting the Blue Hill Troupe. He even played straight man to pal Max St. James and loved every minute spent with him at the Players Club.
With wife Susie, he was a chapter leader in Nassau County with Loving Education at Home (LEAH-NY) in the 1990s, providing support for other home-schooling families.
Rick was a summer volunteer at Northern Frontier Christian Boys Camp in North River, NY until health issues impeded leading father and son groups on canoe trips in the beautiful lakes of the Adirondacks.
He learned to actually enjoy public speaking while attending local school board meetings. He spent many hours going door-to-door with and for several excellent and honorable men and women running for office in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
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Congressman Zeldin, Susan and RickRick served as a Town of Smithtown Republican Committee-man from 2009 until leaving New York State in 2014.
Beyond the local scene, he traveled to northern Virginia in 2012 to talk to voters before the presidential elections.
Friends remember how Rick liked to laugh. Completely trustworthy, he never told anyone’s secrets – ever!
He kept in shape in free time by caring for an American Paint horse and a feisty Falabella in the backyard barn.
Further, he shared a love of American history with sons and best friend, traveled to battlefields, collected stamps, fountain pens, and small press books of poetry.
Yet, he called every bird he saw an egret!
Faith
Rick led an active life in these Christian assemblies:
The Church-in the-Gardens, Forest Hills, NY — A long and active relationship with CIG from celebrating marriage in 1978 and the births of 3 children, traveling down south to build homes for Habitat for Humanity with a CIG crew, to later serving as co-chair of the Official Board and as a member of many CIG committees, until 1988, after the family moved to LI.
Calvary Protestant Church, Baldwin, NY — Was a member of Calvary’s congregation from approx 1989 to 2003, and served in several positions, including working with youth in Christian Service Brigade.
Cleft of the Rock Bible Chapel, Commack, NY — Worshipped with the family at Cleft from 2003 to 2014 and served as a Family Bible Hour teacher and member of the Elder Board. He taught Bible lessons in Portuguese for a local Portuguese Assembly during this time.
Family
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Husband of Susan (Gifford) Schlomann for 37 years, Rick got the job at Schermers for which Susie had also interviewed.
Survived by (son) Tristan Schlomann (NY), (son) Edward and Rebecca Hager Schlomann (NY), Justin and (daughter) Rebecca Schlomann Rohrer (CA), grandchildren Barrett Jensen Schlomann and Marten Elias Rohrer, Elizabeth Schlomann Lowe (sister) and Terry McCoy (of Florida), Margaret (sister) and Philip Jaret (California), Alfred (brother) and Jen Schlomann (Hong Kong), and Robert (brother) and Claudette Schlomann (New York), and much-loved nieces Alicia, Maria, Katie, Nicole, Emily, and Eva, and dear nephew, Alan.
Final Rest
Funeral arrangements at Moloney Funeral Home 840 Wheeler Road (Route 111) in Hauppauge. Visitation on Friday, July 31 from 2-4 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m.; also on Saturday, August 1 from 3-4:30 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held immediately following at 4:30 p.m.