Thomas Robert Schield, 89, formerly of Rapid City, SD, died Tuesday, September 26, 2017 in Mesa, Arizona after a long battle with COPD.
Born April 23, 1928, he was the son of Carl Hugo Schield and Mable Andersen in Buffalo, MN. He was raised in Stanton, Iowa and graduated from Stanton High School in 1946. Thomas served honorably in the United States Army as a Gunnery Chief for a 105mm Howitzer Artillery Platoon on the front lines in Korea (1950-1952). After his military service, he went to work for Western Electric in Omaha, Nebraska. He was transferred to Rapid City where he met and married Irene Hukill. Not wanting to travel for a living, he joined Northwest Bell which later merged into AT&T. Tom retired in 1985 and RVing extensively throughout the western US and Canada visiting with family, making new and long-lasting friendships, and fishing. He enjoyed the last 10 years residing in Mesa, AZ.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marion Irene (Hukill); and proud father of two daughters and a son: Laurie Sue Stiff (Michael) – Mesa, AZ; Misty Lynn Pesek (Don) – Flagstaff, AZ; Daniel Thomas Schield (Mitzie) – Snohomish, WA; 4 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and two brothers and two sisters: Dorothy Cross – Rapid City, SD; Paul Norman Schield (Blanca) – Forest Groves, CA; Mary Alice DeBolt (Stan) – Rapid City, SD; Gerald (Jerry) Stanley Schield (Doris) – Rapid City, SD. Tom was preceded in death by his brother Carl Hugo Schield (Sherry) – Scottsdale, AZ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley, a not-for-profit organization based in Phoenix, Arizona (tax ID 86-0338886), serving families and patients with life-limiting illnesses in Maricopa County since 1977.
Online at: https://www.hov.org/donate/
Or Mail to: Hospice of the Valley Fund Development, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014-5656
Graveside service will be held on Monday, 2 October 2017 at 10 AM at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024.
Jim and I are thinking about you during this difficult time. It has been years since we had seen Tom and Irene. I think it was when Jim and I ventured out to see Misty and Don in Oregon. Im not sure where time goes, but please know you are in our prayers.
Love
Kellie and Jim