- Richard Ernest Skochdopole died peacefully on December 23, 2024.
Dick was born on December 11, 1927, to Albert Otto Skochdopole and Doris (Druliner) Skochdopole in Ravenna, Nebraska. He was raised during the Depression and drought years in Ravenna and applied a mentality characteristic of these years to live an incredibly abundant and generous life. Dick never met a stranger and will be remembered for his willingness and ability to engage in conversation with anyone he met.
He graduated from Ravenna High School in 1945, where he was a student manager for athletics from 1941 through 1945. He attended the University of Nebraska, where he was student manager for the varsity football team for three years. He participated in intramural basketball and softball as a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Dick graduated in 1949 with a major in chemistry. He received a PhD in Physical Chemistry in 1954 from Iowa State University. While there, Dick met Nancy Ruth McClenahan. They married on June 27, 1953.
After a year of post-doctoral work, he joined Dow Chemical in Midland in 1955. He advanced to the rank of Associate Scientist while working mainly in research on plastic foams such as Stryofoam and Ethafoam. Dick authored papers and book chapters on plastic foams and had several patents in this area. Later in his career, he worked on the development of engineering plastics. He was awarded Dow Patent of the Year for a patent on filled plastic blends that were used in automobile bodies.
Dick was a 70-year member of the American Chemical Society, a past president of Sigma Xi, and a Society of Plastics Engineers member. He was active in Aldersgate United Methodist Church as a youth teacher, missions chairman, choir member, and Boy Scout leader for over 20 years. He received the Trail Blazer and Silver Beaver Awards in scouting. He joined Kiwassee Kiwanis Club in 1978, was president and Lieutenant Governor, and worked on alcohol and drug prevention programs and youth activities. Dick was active in peace initiatives, including as a member of the Nonviolent Peaceforce and Global Zero.
He had a life-long interest in sports and participated in golf, tennis, skiing, hunting, and fishing. Dick also enjoyed camping, traveling, visiting family and friends, and spending time with grandchildren.
Dick was survived by his wife of 71 years Nancy (McClenahan) Skochdopole (who followed him in death on January 17, 2025), four children, seven grandchildren, and one great grandchild:
Jill (Andrew Smith) of East Ryegate, VT and their children Rachel (Tanya Ocker) and Daniel; Todd (Angela) of Savoy, IL and their children Megan (Josh Huser) and Nolan (Ella); James (Nancy) of Dallas, TX and their children Katherine (Tyler Minnich) and Ellen (William Wolfe); Mark (Janet) of Manhattan, KS and their son Michael, and great-grandson Samuel Minnich.
Dick was preceded in death by his brother Robert Allen Skochdopole.
A celebration of life service and reception for Dick and Nan are planned on Saturday, April 5, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church (morning) and Creative 360 (later that day).
Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Midland Kiwassee Kiwanis Foundation, the Boy Scouts of America, or Habitat for Humanity.
Smith-Miner Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Skochdopole family; to share a special memory please visit www.smithminer.com.
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1927 - 2024 (97 years)
