Richard
"Rick"
Schilling
Richard (Rick) Calvin Schilling, 72, of Roanoke, Virginia, died on May 3, 2023. Rick was born on July 17, 1950, to Calvin and BeBe Schilling. He is survived by his wife of nearly 46 years, Barbara Renick Schilling; son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Stephanie Schilling; grandchildren, Carter and Carroll Schilling; brother Roy Schilling (Bobbie); brothers- and sisters-in-law, James Renick (Rose Mary), Jane Wolford (Ken), Robin Jamison (Tim), Keith Renick (Donna), and Randy Renick (Audrey); an uncle and aunt, Donnie and Louise Schilling; special cousins, Jo Schilling, Cheryl Anderson (Steve), and Melody McKinley (Jim); numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; a multitude of friends; his beloved puppy Emmie; and the countless young people he influenced through his work as a youth sports coach and official. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Kathy Schilling; parents-in-law, Bonnie and Robert Corley and Leo and Barbara Renick; nephew, Adam Renick; and brother-in-law, Bobby Renick.
Rick graduated from Northside High School in 1969 and was the state wrestling champion that year. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from East Tennessee State University in 1973. He worked for many years at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Salem, Virginia, then moved into sales, working with Sweetheart Cup Company for many years, followed by Ty, Inc., and Aurora World, Inc. He also started his own business, Schilling and Associates, selling sporting apparel and equipment.
Rick was an accomplished and highly regarded official for football, wrestling, baseball, and softball. Over the years, he was supervisor of officials at the college level for schools in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, the Colonial Athletic Conference, the Mid-Atlantic Conference, the Atlantic 10 Conference, and the Southern Conference. He officiated college football for 32 years, including 20 years in the Southern Conference, and was referee for several NCAA football championship games. He was also supervisor of Southern Conference wrestling officials for 15 years, and officiated NCAA matches for 34 years, including 12 Division I NCAA championships, one Division II championship, 25 Virginia Duals, and 12 Cliff Keen NCAA National Team championships. Rick was also the umpire coordinator for multiple sports in the U.S. Specialty Sports Association and officiated high school football, baseball, softball, and wrestling, including many Virginia High School League state wrestling championships. He was supervisor of officials for Cave Spring National Little League for many years and coached wrestling at Hidden Valley Middle School for 25 years.
Rick was the proudest Papa in the world and talked to anyone who would listen about his cherished Carter and Carroll. He loved watching them play any sport, especially ice hockey. He was an avid college football fan (Go, Gators!), and family and friends enjoyed watching games with him as we got to benefit from his vast expertise. He never met a stranger and was loved by so many. He had a generous heart, a larger-than-life personality, a hug for anyone, a ready laugh, and a million stories. Rick touched so many lives, and he will be deeply missed.
The family would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for their love and care during Rick’s illness.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Oakey’s South Chapel. A memorial service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the funeral home, with private interment at the Carter family cemetery in Ferrum, Virginia.
We will be live-streaming the service for those who cannot attend. Click on the link below to view the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Roanoke Valley Wrestling Association, 2409 Portland Ave., Roanoke, Virginia 24017.