Richard Arthur Schutte

It is with great sadness that the family of Richard Arthur Schutte announces his passing on July 13, 2021 at home after a brief and courageous battle with brain cancer.

Richard was born July 5,1940 in Fort William, Ontario. As a teenager he started working at Thunder Bay Telephone and after 44 years of service he retired as the manager. His determined, “never give up” attitude drove him continuously through his life. He was forever an entrepreneur. He first created, with his business partner, Jeffrey Manufacturing which locally produced wood fired boilers for heating systems that were shipped all over Canada through another of his companies RAS Distributors. In 1982 Richard and Linda, his future wife, purchased the Dairy Queen franchise and later expanded the business to two freestanding locations. His daughter, and more recently his granddaughter, helped run the stores for the past 40 years. In 1984, the Coo House was purchased, renovated, and for 17 years he and Linda developed “Coo’s Christmas Store”. Richard was always interested in and busy creating new businesses. Upon retirement, Richard took on his latest business venture “I Controlled Spaces," a surveillance camera system and vehicle GPS tracking service.

Richard loved car racing. He was an accomplished driver and won many races and awards locally and throughout the states. At Riverview Raceways, spectators were always curious if it would be “Schutte, Nesbitt or Jones” who would earn the checkered flag on any given week. Many of the friendships that he had to this day were forged at the racetrack.

In 2011 Richard purchased property on Hwy 130, already zoned for a race track, and began the epic task of building a dirt track. Thousands of hours were spent pushing fill in the “swamp” to facilitate his dream. Unwavering tenacity and an amazing work ethic have brought his vision to life as the first race will be held this September.

Richard was a devoted son, father and husband and though he was busy passionately following his dreams, he always made time for his loved ones. He gladly shared his love for building and working with his hands with his children and grandchildren. He was always there for them when they needed him for a few words of encouragement or advice. He encouraged them to always strive to do your best and to follow through with their dreams.

Richard and Linda loved to travel. They especially loved spending many winters in their home in Florida and happily shared it with the children and grandchildren.

Richard will be greatly missed by his wife and family, his DQ family, morning coffee buddies, and numerous colleagues whose lives he has touched over the past 81 years.

Richard is survived by his wife Linda of 33 years; daughter Roxanne (Bob), son Jerry (Vicky), daughter Lynn (Rick), son Scott; grandchildren Adam, Jordan,Shanna, Evan, Alexandria, Richard Jr, Tristan and Sasha; great grandson Blaid, brother Gary as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Richard was predeceased by his father Richard Schutte and mother Alice Schutte, sisters, Evelyn Barratt, Pearl McGowan and Velma Abdula.

A Celebration of Richard’s life will be held Monday, July 19, 2021 from 2pm-5pm at the Da Vinci Center, 340 Waterloo St. S,Thunder Bay. A private family interment will be held Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 11:00am at Mountain View Cemetery for Richard and sister Evelyn Barratt.

A tremendous thank you to the palliative care team who made it possible for Richard to be happy at home with all his family throughout his illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the ThunderBayHealthSciencesFoundation.ca would be greatly appreciated.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpler Times Cremation Centre, 332 North May Street, Thunder Bay.