With another man vying for his sweetheart, he had to move fast … 70 years ago

We don’t usually expect most high school, or even college romances, to turn into long-term relationships, let alone last the rest of our lives. But one Sun City couple has defied the odds. Richard Schimmel first noticed his wife, Sue, at work. They both worked at Chicago Molded Plastic.

Sue said, “He kept trying to get me to go out. He kept asking until he succeeded.”

Richard said, “There was another guy, Eddie, that kept asking her out. I had to move fast. When I first saw Sue, I thought, What a lovely girl. She’s going to be my girl.”

Debbie Starr, their daughter, said “My dad was jealous of the other guy. He liked her. He moved fast. They got married in six months.”

Things progressed quickly while they dated, but not without a few twists and turns.

Sue said, “He gave me his high school ring. Back then, the girls used to put yarn around the ring to make it fit. Two weeks later, we were driving to his parent’s wedding anniversary party and he asked for the ring back. I was hurt and crying.”

Richard had other plans.

“I was looking for the small box I had for her. I had to move fast because Eddie was still looking to date her,” he said.

Sue didn’t expect what happened next.

“He held out the small box and asked me to marry him. Then I really started crying. We announced our engagement at the anniversary party. We celebrated our engagement along with his parent’s anniversary that night,” Sue said.

Six months later, Richard and Sue got married on May 27, 1951. They were both 21, born two days apart. Richard the elder by two days, January 11 and January 13, 1930.

Starr said, “Dick got drafted into the Army shortly after they were married and fought in Korea, including the famous battle of Pork Chop Hill. He returned home to his wife and toddler son Greg, who barely knew him, in 1953.”

The family grew over time, with five children, Gregg, Dan, Debbie, John, and Janice. The children have given them 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Sue said, “We didn’t have a lot but we had togetherness.”

Janice Schimmel, the youngest daughter said, “We celebrate everything together as a family. We get together to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries. We had many occasions throughout the year to celebrate. We had a huge celebration for our parent’s 90th birthday in January 2020, right before the pandemic. We put together a scrapbook that everyone wrote down their thoughts.”

One of the grandchildren Mary Sue Starr wrote in that scrapbook: “Dearest Grandma and Grandpa,

Even though y’all live far away I’m so thankful for the many memories I have with you. Your hands have held mine, still, all throughout my life. Y’all have shown us all what time love and commitment looks like.”

What is the couple’s favorite memory?

Sue said, “Our 25th wedding anniversary. We went to Hawaii.”

Richard agreed.

Would the two get married again?

Richard was quick to respond.

“Couldn’t let Eddie have her,” he said.

Sue said, “It was meant to be.”

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