Richard Schultz

June 3, 1888 – May 25, 1958

Richard Schultz, 69, son of a German immigrant blacksmith who rose to become reputedly one of the wealthiest men in Noble county, died Sunday at 9:15 a.m. in Perry Memorial hospital where he had been a patient since Friday.

Services will be announced by the Parker funeral home.

Schultz, retired Red Rock bank president, had been in failing health the past year. His home was a 717 Birch street. A bachelor, he lived alone.

Schultz’ parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schultz, were native of Germany who came to this country before 1890. His father operated a blacksmith shop in Perry after coming to Noble county in 1895.

Schultz was born June 3, 1888, in Kansas City, Mo., and came to Oklahoma with his parents two years later. He was baptized in a Lutheran church in Germany, friends said.

Following graduation from Perry high school, he attended the old Guthrie Business college and returned here to work in the now-defunct Bank of Commerce. In 1916 he went to Red Rock as cashier of the Red Rock State bank and latter became president and principal stockholder.

Schultz went into the cattle business with Martin Diehm, Red Rock, in 1935 and later was associated with Byron Neal. He retired from banking in 1950 and the Red Rock bank was sold to the First National bank of Perry.

During his lifetime Schultz acquired a vast amount of farm and business property. His interests included holdings in several parts of Oklahoma.

Perhaps one of his most famous pieces of property is the ranch south of Red Rock on state highway 40, which has been operated by Neal. It includes a stone barn, one of the largest and most expensive buildings of its type in the southwest. The barn gained a measure of fame during construction when a strong wind demolished it, and nearly 10 years ago when fire again ruined the structure. It was completely rebuilt and is a landmark to travelers in that area.

The only immediate survivor is a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Rissman who lives in Roitzsch, Germany.