Dr. Raymond W. Schlueter
Dr. Raymond W. Schlueter, age 88, of LaGrange Park died peacefully Monday, February 12, 2018. Dearly beloved husband of Karen (nee Allspach), devoted father of Raymond Scott (Masako) Schlueter, Jeffrey (Suzanne) Schlueter, and Jamie (Juergen) Pietzsch; cherished grandfather of Kaya Schlueter, William and Caroline Schlueter and Connor, Tayla, Colin, and Henry Pietzsch; dear brother of the late Robert (the late JoAnn), the late Ronald (Patricia), and the late Richard (Corinne) Schlueter. He was a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy. Raymond then served in the US Army for two years in Germany. Following his military service he went to medical school at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in 1961. He completed his internship and residency program in orthopedic surgery at Doctors Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. While in Columbus he married Karen Allspach and they have enjoyed a 54 year marriage. He then returned to the Chicago area where he practiced medicine at Chicago Osteopathic Hospital and later at Olympia Fields Osteopathic Hospital. He started an orthopedic residency program that had 44 students become orthopedic surgeons and the program is still going! After retirement he volunteered at Lawndale Christian Health Center for many years. Raymond served in the Army Reserve ending with over 20 years of total service retiring with the rank of Colonel. He was a member of the VFW and two times served as the Surgeon General of that organization. He loved to travel, play golf, fish and was an avid reader. Ray was a member both of The Circumnavigators Club and The Travelers Century Club. Visitation is Thursday, February 15, from 3 until 9pm at Hallowell & James Funeral Home 1025 W 55th St., Countryside. In State on Friday February 16, from 8am until time of a 9am Funeral Service with Military Honors at Christ Church of Oak Brook (Corner of 31st. & York Rd). Private family internment will be at Ft. Sheridan Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Plymouth Place or Christ Church of Oak Brook. Service Info: (708) 352-6500.
Dear Karen and Family; All of us will have many fond memories of Ray. Our outrageous golf games, especially the sprinklerhead incident , or simply listening to some jazz at the club in the loop or the Club meetings on Thursdays. We always had a good time with a lot of laughs in between…Ray was such a good story teller. You can be sure that Raymond will remain in our cherished memories for a long time. We’ll remember him in our prayers as well.
Prayers for his soul and your family!
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Dr. Schlueter, our neighbor in Indian Head Park, is remembered as happy, generous and kind. He gladly looked at and treated my siblings and my injuries during our growing up years. He did surgery to my broken elbow and looked at my numerous sprains over my teenage years. I grew up playing backyard baseball with Ray Jr. and Jeff. Much respect, love and prayers for the Karen and the whole Schlueter family.
To Karen and family: My sincerest condolences to you and the family. Ray was a good friend and close colleague at CCOM. He will be remembered as one of the giants in our profession in orthopedic surgery. His residency program was one of the best due to his leadership and role modeling. He always stood for the best interests of his patients and never compromised the best in quality care of his patients. I will remember many of our conversations at the school, hospital and after the Sunday morning service at Christ Church. He will be sorely missed. God’s grace be with you.
A wonderful teacher. I have thought of him many times since taking his course at CCOM. Enjoyed his clinic most of all and the kindness he displayed to the patients of Hyde Park. I was very fortunate to have known him.
He was a wonderful man and a terrific orthopedic surgeon. He will be missed!
Dear Schleuter family, please know Dr Schlueter was not only an inspirational leader but pushed the limits of Osteopathic Medicine to new challenges on a regular basis. Many of CCOM’s staff and students volunteered in the numerous homeless centers. When we found patients who required ortho care, he never hesitated to approve the care. Drs Lombardo and Schleuter never hesitated to take teaching cases to support the community. It was a pleasure to know he and the ortho department was always there. He was intolerant of providing any care less than the best. It was our honor to work with him. Be well.
Dear Karen, we were so sad to hear of the loss of your life partner, Ray. We will all miss his always present smile and ever ready willingness to join in the fun at Abbey Springs. You both provided an example of what a long term marriage and partnership could and should look like. Please accept our heartfelt condolences and let us know if there’s anything you’d like us to do. We hope we will continue to see you in the summertime in Wisconsin.
Love,
Andy and Joe Corso