Reiny “Ray” Schott

Our “Hero” went home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 24, 2018, at the Hospice House in Rapid City SD. All the years of medical difficulties finally got the best of him and he had no more fight to give. Ray was born on September 3, 1947 to Reinhold and Hedwick (Gimbel) Schott at Pierre SD. Coming from a German family, he had to learn English when he started school. He started out on the farm near Harrold SD, moved to Eureka SD and as his father was in road construction, they moved to numerous towns before ending up in Rapid City in 1955. His mother worked several jobs and sold Avon for twenty years. He attended Berquist, North Junior High, Rapid City High and ended his education with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.

He rode his first motorcycle at the age of 8. That year he also started working in a mobile home court. He always tried to have a job while in school, and some included the Rapid Theatre, Oldsmobile, road construction and Black Hills Power & Light for six years. He was a hardworking man who believed in “strong people stand up for themselves, stronger people stand up for others”. In 1971 Ray became a Reserve Officer with the Rapid City Police Department. In 1977 Ray was hired as a full time Patrol Officer, which included being a Field Training Officer, in SWAT as a sniper, and working the majority of the time in North Rapid on the night shift (which he enjoyed). There was a time he worked his police position, three part time jobs and was going to college to obtain his degree. He wanted to make things better for his family. In 1989 Ray joined the Evidence Section and worked there for the next eighteen years. After serving the residents of Rapid City for thirty-six years, Ray retired in 2007. During his time with RCPD he received many awards and accolades. He belonged to numerous organizations, holding offices in Blue Knights SDI and Blue Knights Midwest Regional (he was a founding father of both), Past President of South Dakota Peace Officers Assn., member of both Fraternal Order of Police and the Moose Club.

Ray always said his life and family began in 1975 when he met Charlotte “Charlie” Friez, the love of his life. They met on March 3rd and were married on April 25th that same year. The Justice of the Peace forgot they were coming so he married them at 10:30 p.m., in his pajamas with Planet of the Apes on TV (that he didn’t shut off); but they had forty-three years of love, happiness and admiration for each other. Angela Dawn was born on June 13, 1976 at Sturgis and Marissa Nicole was born on June 27, 1979 in Rapid City. He was the kind of husband every wife should be so lucky to have and the best daddy ever. As a family they enjoyed motorcycle rides, driving in the Hills and taking vacations (several National Lampoon ones!).

Survivors include his wife, Charlie Schott; daughter, Angie (John) Jelinek; daughter, Marissa (Ermin) Husidic; two grandchildren, Dylan and Erin McNeal; two step-grandchildren, Liliann and Madelynn Jelinek; and two grand puppies that will miss him so much, Coco and Oreo (Husidic). He also has numerous other relatives that survive him.

His parents (Reiny and Heddy Schott), parents-in-law (Reinhold and Ella Friez), great nephew Spencer Ferrie, brother-in-law Ken Friez and many aunts, uncles and cousins preceded him in death.

Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home is in care of arrangements. There will be no prior visitation, as the family will greet guests as they come into the church.

During the last ten years that Ray was on the kidney transplant list, several people tried to be a donor (and our family will be eternally grateful for that). Unfortunately they were not compatible but Ray kept hoping and felt very strongly about donation. Prior to his death, Ray made the decision that he would donate what he could. The Lion’s Eye Bank chose his corneas, either to help someone see or for research. Please consider being a donor – it saves lives!