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.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Tuesday, November 19, 2013
23 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
Prayers and good wishes for your friend Bernie.
ReplyDeleteHow old is Rich? I didn't think je was to old.
ReplyDeleteRich is my age. 62.
ReplyDeleteThanks, 12:07
ReplyDeleteBernie,
ReplyDeleteThank 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.
Prayers for your friend and grateful thanks to the deputies. There are more good stories than bad out there.
ReplyDeleteWhich deputies saved his life?
ReplyDeletePrayers and thanks as well, and thank you Bernie for letting us know.
ReplyDeleteThe Banker
I hope you stand up at courtesy of the floor and recognize them on thursday night
ReplyDeleteI will find out who these deputies are today.
ReplyDelete"I hope you stand up at courtesy of the floor and recognize them on thursday night"
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
Enough with the hero worship. It is part of their job. They are patronage positions, great pay, benefits and pension.
ReplyDeleteThat is praise enough.
Nice article Bernie!!
ReplyDeleteMy heartfelt prayers go out to Rich & hope all is well now. Thank god the deputy sheriff's acted quickly & saved his life.
God speed!
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.
ReplyDeleteBernie, 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.
ReplyDeleteActually the equipment and training preceded harpo and this Admisntration but keep the myth, it is so much more pleasant for the hacks.
ReplyDeletewow. I'm gonna have my next heart attack at the Northampton County Courthouse!
ReplyDelete" the equipment and training preceded ... this Admisntration "
ReplyDeletethat's actually true. the initiative began under eibman
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.
ReplyDeleteThe real credit belongs to the deputies.
Also the multimillion dollar county debt and multi-million dollar deficit came under the harp and Stoffa.
ReplyDeleteGive credit where credit is due
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.
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
ReplyDeleteBernie, 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.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Bill