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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

NorCo Deputy Sheriffs Save My Friend's Life

I have known Rich Schaedler all my life. He and I both grew up in Hellertown together, and got to know each other during pick-up ball games. We graduated from college together, and were even admitted to the bar at the same time in 1978. He still lives in Hellertown, ushers at St. Theresa's, and makes one of the meanest kiffles around. Although he did do a stint on the Saucon Valley School Board, he has mostly avoided the limelight. You don't see his name mentioned in any murder cases. He's a real estate lawyer, and one of the few I know who can actually still search a title. About the only time he gets excited is when he starts talking about the Mets, the Flyers or national politics.

We have our own "Hi Five" sign whenever we see each other, in which we both miss.

On Friday morning, while at the courthouse to present a motion, Rich was stricken by a massive heart attack.

His heart stopped, and he would be dead today were it not for alert Deputy Sheriffs who were trained to and did defibrillate him.  On his way to Easton Hospital, his heart stopped twice again. He was placed in an induced coma, and apparently came out of it successfully and somewhat miraculously. I stopped by to see him Monday late afternoon, but he was sound asleep. I then realized that just seeing me might kill him, so I left.

If you can think of it, please say a prayer for Rich. You probably have more clout than I do.

Rich practices law with Kevin Kelleher, a Princeton grad.

Many moons ago, there was an ornery old civil defense lawyer named Jackson Sigmon. A Nuremberg prosecutor after the war, he was almost as nasty as me. And a Republican in Bethlehem. But he loved Lehigh wrestling, and wanted to see them wrestle at Princeton.

"How do I get to Princeton?" he snarled to Kelleher.

"Study hard," was Kevin's reply.  

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Prayers and good wishes for your friend Bernie.

Anonymous said...

How old is Rich? I didn't think je was to old.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Rich is my age. 62.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Thanks, 12:07

Anonymous said...

Bernie,
Thank you for acknowledging the deputies actions. They will be happy to hear that Mr. Schaedler is doing well and that their efforts were instrumental in saving his life.

Anonymous said...

Prayers for your friend and grateful thanks to the deputies. There are more good stories than bad out there.

Anonymous said...

Which deputies saved his life?

Anonymous said...

Prayers and thanks as well, and thank you Bernie for letting us know.

The Banker

Anonymous said...

I hope you stand up at courtesy of the floor and recognize them on thursday night

Bernie O'Hare said...

I will find out who these deputies are today.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"I hope you stand up at courtesy of the floor and recognize them on thursday night"

The deputies involved should be publicly recognized, but not by a bottom-feeding blogger. That should come directly from County Council, and I intend to ask that the Deputies be publicly commended by them.i am sure council will do so at a future meeting.

Anonymous said...

Enough with the hero worship. It is part of their job. They are patronage positions, great pay, benefits and pension.

That is praise enough.

Anonymous said...

Nice article Bernie!!
My heartfelt prayers go out to Rich & hope all is well now. Thank god the deputy sheriff's acted quickly & saved his life.
God speed!

John Zapf said...

Richard Schaedler is one of the finest and nicest men I've ever known. If all of us were like him, lawyers as a group would not have the negative reputation that they live with today. Dick is indeed one of the few remaining attorneys who knows how to search a title, having been taught as I was by the best teachers of yesteryear: Tom Butterfield, Bill Joachim and Bill Brodt. More importantly, he's a first rate individual, and that's something that just can't be taught. I am grateful to the deputies and the paramedics who saved Dick's life; and I look forward to seeing him at the courthouse again very soon.

Anonymous said...

Bernie, some thanks should be given to Tom Harp and Randy Miller who advocated for the equipment and training that exists throughout the employee staff of Northampton County.A few years ago it did not exist. Both pushed for the training and equipment you see hanging near the elevators.

Anonymous said...

Actually the equipment and training preceded harpo and this Admisntration but keep the myth, it is so much more pleasant for the hacks.

Anonymous said...

wow. I'm gonna have my next heart attack at the Northampton County Courthouse!

Anonymous said...

" the equipment and training preceded ... this Admisntration "

that's actually true. the initiative began under eibman

Bernie O'Hare said...

The equipment was purchased and the training began under Stoffa, and Harp did have to go to bat for it. I am sure Reibman would have done the same were he in office. But this equipment and the training were started under Stoffa. i realize you don't like to see his admin given credit for anything, but you're nuts.

The real credit belongs to the deputies.

Anonymous said...

Also the multimillion dollar county debt and multi-million dollar deficit came under the harp and Stoffa.

Give credit where credit is due

Anonymous said...

Sheriff Miller did not even have the decency to send these deputies an E-mail acknowledging their actions until after you posted it on your blog. He is all about himself and will soon be out of a job. Kissing Judge Barrata's ass immediately after HIS BOY CALLAHAN'S LOSS shows he knows the writing in on the wall. The devices were in the Courthouse long before he came into office. Actually, the deputy he most recently fired was instrumental in getting these devices through his role on the safety committee. Miller is an egotist who became a cop because he thinks the badge gives him respect he cannot earn otherwise. Since the Union prez is his "minny me", he was easily bought by Miller. Brown will fix this problem come the new year. Brown should also ask Miller why he refuses to do anything to the deputy who was medically cleared to come back to work but refuses and is still allowed to collect worker comp. Can it be because this deputy allowed Stoffa to sit on his lap at a Flyers hockey game. Can it be because this deputy is pals with Judge Beltranny. Miller is nothing more than a political puppet, and the union prez can get rid of his kneepads once the new Sheriff is in town because HOMEY isn't going to play that game.

Bernie O'Hare said...

The deputies involved will be recognized. It was difficult to do right after the event bc it was still being determined who was involved. There are quite a few involved, and it would e unfair not to recognize ALL of them. As for the rest of your comment, it strikes me as unworthy of response unless you man up and identify yourself.

Bill Fischel said...

Bernie, Rich Schaedler was a member of the Gra-Y club that I headed in Hellertown back in 1962-63. He was a great kid back then, and I am pleased to learn that he became a fine man (as was his dad). More important is that he is still a live man after his heart event. Send him my regards and, if he feels inclined, ask him to reconnect with me at Bill.Fischel@Dartmouth.edu.
Thanks
Bill