It is with a very heavy heart that we let you know of the passing of Jerry Schleich, treasurer of the Red Wing Collectors Society.  Jerry died very suddenly on February 24, 2005 at the age of 72.

Jerry was well known to the community of Red Wing Collectors Society members.  He has been the treasurer of the national Society since 2000. His role as treasurer made him a member of the full Board of Directors and the Executive Board.   He was an active and conscientious Board member always promoting what the membership and the Chapters wanted.  He provided sound financial advice and was the chief overseer of the first RWCS budget. He worked closely with the RWCS Business Manager in order to assure good financial health of the Society.  In addition to his work as a RWCS Board member, he was instrumental in the development of the RWCS Foundation.   He remained involved and continued to provide guidance and assistance in financial and legal matters.  The RWCS Foundation was a fulfilled dream of Jerry’s and he was so proud to see his dream come to fruition. Jerry was an active Chapter member.  He was past president of both the Southwest and Nebraska Chapters, was a member of many Chapters and provided assistance to most Chapters in the formation of by-laws, non-profit status and other matters.

Another dream realized when Jerry and Louise established and opened the Schleich Pottery, Dinnerware and Stoneware Museum in Lincoln Nebraska in 2001.  Jerry’s office was in the same building as the Museum and warmly greeted visitors who came to take in the tour.  It was not unusual to have Jerry offer his home for overnight stays of RWCS members and pottery lovers who came to visit the Museum. He was generous with his time, his resources and his knowledge.

Most people will remember Jerry as the avid collector of both pottery and knowledge.  Ron Linde, at the funeral service for Jerry, eloquently expressed the quest for not only knowledge about the Red Wing pottery but also his need to share that knowledge to others.  Another word that was used by those offering eulogies at the service used the word “driven” to describe Jerry.  That was certainly true for collecting and learning about Red Wing as it was about Real Estate, Home Development and working with and for Cornhusker Place.

Jerry was a graduate of the University of Omaha with a BS in Business Administration. He later graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law.   He was a member of the Nebraska Bar Association, American Bar Association, Home Builders Association of Lincoln, Nebraska Homebuilders Association, National Association of Home Builders, Bethany Christain Church, Trustee of University of Nebraska Foundation, Director and past president of Cornhusker Place, Co-chair of Cornhuster place Capital Funds Campaign Committee and most recently, president of Southview, Inc. a family owned land development business. He was involved in all aspects of the real estate business since 1960.  Jerry was very well known in Lincoln and provided his able advice and assistance to countless organizations and causes.  It was also mentioned at his funeral that there was probably not a subdivision in Lincoln that Jerry was not a part of the development of.  In fact, one person who gave a eulogy said that he believed Jerry was now starting subdivisions in Heaven.

Last September, the Schleich family helped dedicated a park in Lincoln which they donated money, equipment and labor, in the name of Stephen C. Schelich one of Jerry and Louise’s sons who had been in the family business and died in November 2000.

Most important to Jerry though, was his family. Jerry spoke so highly of his family and loved them deeply. Jerry and Louise were married in 1956. His children include his daughter Kathryn, son-in-law, Terry Beer; Sons and daughters-in-laws Thomas and Christine Schleich, John and his wife Andrea, David and Mary Schleich, Shanda Schleich, 15 grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his son, Stephen and his parents Conrad and Helen Schleich.

The funeral services were held on Monday, February 28, 2005 at the Bethany Christian Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Jerry will truly be missed.  He was a wonderful man who loved life, his family and all of his special interests with such passion.  It is hard to imagine anyone who had more of a a variety of interests, such a quest for information and the innate ability to bring his dreams to life. He accomplished so much in his lifetime and his legacy will live on forever in our hearts and in our lives.

Memorials may be made to the RWCS Foundation, Cornhusker Place, Inc., Capitol Fund, 721 K St. Lincoln, 68508, or the Bethany Christian Church, 1645 N. Cotner Blvd, Lincoln.