Gus Rischer

Gustav Richard Rischer, 83, of Maryville, MO, passed away Friday, April 5, 2013, at his home in Maryville.

“Rich”, as he was known for the first 20 years of his life, was born in St. Louis, MO, on September 29, 1929. His parents were Gustav H. and Fern (Jones) Rischer. He attended Mark Twain Elementary School, and graduated from Beaumont High School, both of St. Louis, MO.

While at Beaumont High, Rich lettered in Basketball and Track, and was on the State Champion basketball team in 1946-47.

Following high school he attended the University of Illinois and earned a freshman basketball letter. He then transferred to the University of Missouri to be closer to his future bride, Katie.

On March 31, 1951, Gus, as he was now known, was united in marriage to Katherine Ruth Christian, in St. Louis, MO.

A US Air Force Veteran, Gus served during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed at March Air Force Base, in California. Gus was active in the base basketball team, and was named to the 1st Team, all Air Force Volleyball Team in 1952.
After his enlistment, Gus went to work for Mobil Oil Company in Santa Maria, CA. He also played on the Santa Maria Golden Dukes Semi-Pro Basketball Team.

In 1954, he and Katie decided to further their education and enrolled at Pepperdine College in Los Angeles, CA. Gus graduated in 1956 with a B.A. in Education. He then taught at Chaffee Union High School in Ontario, CA, and continued his education. He received his Master’s Degree from California State University, in Los Angeles.

His work continued in public education in the Los Angeles, CA, area until a call from another Pepperdine Alumnus, Richard New, about teaching at Northwest Missouri State University, in Maryville. The family moved to Maryville in 1968, onto the farm north of Maryville that the family still owns.

At Northwest, Gus started as an Instructor and was promoted through the years to Associate Professor and served as Chairman of the Department of Psychology, Sociology and Counseling from 1984 until his retirement in 1991. He was an active faculty member and served on the Athletic Council, the AIDS Task Force, and New Faculty Assist Team, as well as the Recruitment Committee.

His memberships included the American Association of Counseling and Development, Missouri School Counselors Association, Northwest Missouri State Teachers Association, and the Phi Delta Kappa.
He was appointed to the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging in 1991, and was a member of the Missouri Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
Gus received his final ranking of Professor, Emeritus, Psychology, on August 1, 1991.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John (Jack) W. Rischer in 1992; and his wife, Katie, in 1989; and granddaughter, Grace Ann Rischer, in 1999.

Survivors are his sons, Gregory Rischer, Maryville, MO, Dr. Jon Rischer, Columbia, MO, and Bradley Rischer, Kansas City, MO; 3 grandchildren, Christian, Audrey, and Brayden Rischer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM, on Saturday, April 13, 2013, at the St. Gregory’s Barbarigo Catholic Church, in Maryville, MO. The burial will be in the Nodaway Memorial Garden, Maryville.

The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 PM, Friday, April 12, 2013, at the Bram-Danfelt Funeral Home, Maryville.

Military services at the cemetery will be conducted by members of the Missouri Military Honors Detail, and members of the James Edward Gray, American Legion Post 100, Maryville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the SSM Hospice of NW Missouri, 1912 S. Main, Maryville, MO, 64468.