Richard Lee Schowengerdt, 81, of Knob Noster, Missouri, died Friday, March 16, at St. Luke’s East in Lees Summit, Missouri.

Funeral services are set for 10 a.m. Friday, March 23, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Joe Bathke and Deacon Joe Lamay officiating. Internment will follow in Higginsville, Missouri, at the Higginsville City Cemtery with full military honors. The family received friends on Thursday, March 22 at Sweeney-Phillips and Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg.

He was born Jan. 6, 1937, in Higginsville at the Confederate Soldiers Home, the son of Lawrence E. and Leota A. (Bockelman) Schowengerdt.

Richard was a Vietnam veteran, serving honorably in the United States Army from January 1955-March 1975, retiring after 20 years of service. During his time of service, he served two tours in Vietnam. As an artilleryman, Richard was part of the 10^th Infantry division in Fort Riley, Kansas, 2^nd Infantry Division in Fort Benning, Georgia, and the 2^nd Armored Division in Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Greeley in Alaska. During his deployments he was stationed in Munich and Neurnburg, Germany, Korea, and Vietnam. He retired out of Fort Riley.

He was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, National Defense Service Medal as well as numerous marksmanship badges. He received recognition as a sharpshooter during his service.

He spent time after his service serving others and was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 131 in Warrensburg and American Legion Post 4195 in Knob Noster. He was also a lifetime member of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.

As a teenager, he worked for the Marr Trucking Rock Quarry, Paul Wilson Filling Station, and the Warrensburg Drive-in Theatre. After retiring from the Army, he worked at Callahan Body Shop, Panther Drive-In as a night cook, custodian for the Knob Noster Middle School, an over-the-road truck driver and then for 20 years for the Knob Noster School District as a bus driver.

He married Josephine Marie Pfeiffer in Kitzingen, Germany, on Dec. 27, 1957. They were blessed with one daughter, Lore Lynn Martz. Josephine preceded him in death in 2004 after 46 years of marriage.

After her passing, he met his companion, Mary McKinney, and they spent much of their time traveling. Visiting several countries around the globe, they created many memories together. They also traveled throughout the United States, visiting all of the contiguous 48 states. Richard was accepted into the American Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Richard is survived by his companion and best friend, Mary McKinney, of the home; his daughter, Lore Martz; and numerous cousins and a nephew, Joe Schowengerdt.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and a brother, Ivan Schowengerdt.

Memorial contributions are suggested to The Missouri Veterans Home of Warrensburg and can be left in care of the funeral home.