A Tribute to Elwood

The city of Sheboygan, particularly its youth, lost real gem recently. That would be Elwood "Red" Rishel, a long time figure in softball and recreation programs in Sheboygan. His service to the community and the youth of Sheboygan will surely be missed. He was a common figure at the softball games at the Wildwood Complex, scoring and/or timing for North basketball and volleyball games, and many evening basketball games for the Community Recreation Department. For those of you that knew Red, you have your own memories or stories that you can recall, but for those of you that never had the opportunity to meet and know Red, you have missed meeting a legend in the history of Sheboygan athletics. Red was one that never shied away from work. He always did his share and more. In recent years he served on the Board of Directors of the Sheboygan Diamond Club and was very instrumental in the continued development of their programs. Someone once said that if there was a baseball game between Heaven and Hell, Hell would win because they had all the umpires. Well, not this one. Rest in peace Red. We will miss you dearly.

Elwood “Red” Rishel, 76, of 913 Bluff Ave., Sheboygan, died unexpectedly of a heart attack at his home on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003.

He was born of April 28, 1927, in Kantz, Pa., the son of the late George Edward Rishel and Orpha Holtzapple Rishel. He graduated from Selinsgrove High School (Pa.) in 1945.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952 and was stationed at Camp Haven, north of Sheboygan. In 1953, he returned to Sheboygan and worked for Hayssen Manufacturing Company for 31 years, retiring in 1985.

He married Ruth DePagter at St. John’s United Church of Christ-Sheboygan in 1953, and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past summer.

Red’s passion was softball, and he played for Al’s Bar, Curt Joa, Hayssen Industrial and the Snafu Club. In 1964, while playing for the Snafu Club in a state softball tournament, Red pitched the first recorded perfect game in slow-pitch softball, facing and retiring 21 straight batters. While playing softball, he also began his career as an umpire.

In 1970, when the Sheboygan Softball Association (SSA) was formed, he became an umpire for them and in 1980 became the head umpire for the association and served in that capacity until 2000. He served on the SSA board of directors for 24 years. In 1995, he became State Umpire in Chief for the USSSA.

Between 1977 and 1991, he umped in the ASA Women’s National, National and Youth Invitational, and from 1979 on has been umping for the USSSA in the State, Divisional, and World Tournaments. He also served as Umpire in Chief for the Divisional and World USSSA tournaments held in Sheboygan.

He was inducted into the Wisconsin USSSA Hall of Fame as an umpire in 1989. Red was honored by the Sheboygan Diamond Club in 1996 with his entrance into that organization’s Hall of Fame. And in 2000, Red was inducted as a charter member into the Sheboygan Softball Association Hall of Fame.

Red was elected to the Sheboygan School Board in 1976, and for nine years served as the chairperson of the Recreation Committee. He umpired fast pitch softball for both Sheboygan North and Sheboygan South teams and also was the scorekeeper for the Sheboygan North basketball team and timer for the girls basketball program as well.

He was active in the Sheboygan Recreation Department for 37 years as an umpire, scorekeeper and site supervisor for adult, youth and Saturday afternoon grade school basketball programs, volleyball and softball programs.

Red was active in the PTA, and served as president of the Washington School chapter and the North High School chapter, as well as the Sheboygan North Booster Club. For many years he was a member of the “Y” Quarterback Club.

He was a former member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Sheboygan, where he served as an usher and custodian, and as a member of the Church Council for 17 years. He joined First Congregational United Church of Christ-Plymouth in 1998 and served for five years as a trustee.

He is survived by his spouse, Ruth of Sheboygan; two sons, the Rev. William Rishel (Mary Polchert) of Plymouth and Kendall (Brenda) Rishel of Sheboygan; four grandchildren, Amber and Aaron Rishel of Sheboygan, and Mason and Maren Rishel of Plymouth; one brother-in-law, Dr. Allen (Alicia) DePagter of McAllen, Texas; and one sister-in-law, Brenda Rishel of Upper Darby, Pa. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by one brother, Kenneth Rishel.