Comments/Citation:
Sergeant Schuening was killed in the line of duty on
October 2, 1997, in Granite, Oregon, as he attempted to disarm an
explosive device
Lost In The Line of Duty Oregon State Police Sergeant Richard J. Schuening was killed in the line of duty on October 2, 1997, in Granite, Oregon, as he attempted to disarm an explosive device while performing his duties as a Hazardous Devices Technician with the Oregon State Police at the age of 53.
Mr. Schuening was born August 10, 1944 in Pendleton, Oregon. He graduated from high school in Pendleton in 1962. After graduation he joined the Army National Guard. He later served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service on board the submarine USS Spinax Ss-489 from 1964 until 1968.
After his military service he returned to Oregon and was the service/parts manager for a heavy equipment and farm machinery dealership in Pendleton. Later he began a custom harvesting business in Pendleton. In April 1979 he joined the Oregon State Police and moved to Salem. He had a wide variety of duties including patrol, criminal detective in auto theft and drugs, arson investigator and bomb technician. He was promoted to Sergeant and was the Bomb Suad Commander and Assistant Manager of the Arson/Explosives Section. He was a member of many law enforcement organizations including the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators, Oregon Peace Officers Association, Oregon State Police Officers Association and the American Associaiton of State Troopers. He served on selection boards for other arson investigators and bomb technicians. During his career he worked with numerous local and federal agencies throughout the country. He was a member of the Obsolete Fleet Chevys and GM Haulers and enjoyed restoring classic vehicles. He enjoyed camping, snowmobiling and woodworking. On August 19, 1984 he married his wife Louise in Salem, Oregon. Survivors include his wife Louise; sons Derek Spang of Lostine, Oregon and Patrick Schuening of Salem; daughter Jill VanLeeuwen of Boise, Id., Tracy Schuening of Spokane, Wa., Lisa Martin and Sarah Schuening both of Salem; mother Maxine Haines and step father William Haines both of Pendleton; brothers Eddy Schuening of Hermiston and Ivan Schuening of Aurora; sisters Marthella Bowman of Whitefish, Mt., Julie Schmidt of Grande Rhonde; mother-in-law Nickie Mwesisca of Monmouth; and seven grandchildren.
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