REFLECTIONS

When visiting the mountaintops of the Colorado Rockies, I was most enamored by a dentist who pursued volunteer dentistry with the World Medical Mission at Tenwek Hospital in Bomet Kenya.

He became the only trained dentist for 300,000 Africans.

This man was Dr. Richard Schilling of Loveland, Colorado. He is the father of my niece’s husband, Brad. My niece Jodi Schilling prepared a lasting tribute to her father-in-law.

Schilling passed away on June 12, 2024. He was 90.

He was constantly spreading the desire to improve the dental health of people around the world.

Dr. Schilling and his wife, Marlene, often stopped by my brother’s home when we were visiting in Colorado.

Judy and I were always impressed with the Schillings’ caring attitude shown toward everyone.

The Schillings always had stories to tell, but most importantly they wanted to hear about our stories. They really cared.

Dr. Schilling was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. He grew up in Lincoln with two sisters. From an early age, Schilling became inventive and confident that he could develop ideas that led to business opportunities.

He showed innate creativity, imagination, an eye that enabled him to enjoy making projects at home and at school during his childhood. At age 12, he started a business of making fishing ties.

Schilling received his dental degree from the University of Nebraska in 1957.

After serving a private practice for many years, Schilling began work in world missions.

Schilling loved to paint and also loved to write.

He was a serious and professional artist in all media: watercolor, oil, sketching, wood sculptures, silver and gold jewelry. He has written and published eight books, poetry and magazine articles.

Judy and I always left our visits with Dick and Marlene Schilling with an air of caring and sharing.