Richard C. (Rick) Schisler, of LaGrange, 77 years, retired attorney and Civil War living historian, died peacefully in his home, on December 12, 2022.  He is survived by his wife, Eileen Waldstein, children Matthew Schisler and wife Maggie, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Jenny Hinely and husband Jackson, Pensacola, FL, Melanie Sanchez and husband Doug, Poughquag, NY, and Jeremy Schisler and wife Danielle, LaGrange, NY, and grandchildren Gracelyn and Gianna Sanchez, Mikayla and Mason Schisler, Rivka Hinely, and Olivia and Adam Schisler.

A Poughkeepsie native, he was a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College and SUNY at Buffalo School of Law.  He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1968-1971, including a tour of duty as a Field Historian on the Staff of the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Vietnam.  He was also a member and Chairman of the Poughkeepsie Housing Authority from 1979-1981.

His legal career included service as an Assistant District Attorney and Senior Assistant Public Defender for Dutchess County, several years in private practice trying high profile cases, including a role as one of the Special Prosecutors in the notable Lemuel Smith murder trial arising from the 1981 death of a Green Haven Correction Officer, and thirteen years as a Principal Law Clerk in the Dutchess County and Supreme Courts.  He was noted for both his expertise and integrity and was a respected member of the Dutchess County Bar Association.

An avid reenactor and living historian, he was also a long-time member of the 150 ^th New York State Volunteer Infantry Regiment Historical Association, reenacting the service of the Dutchess County Regiment in the Civil War in hundreds of events and presentations in several states over many years.

Rick was a man of simple pleasures.  He loved his family, his Mets, his Giants, and his history.  He was kind, generous, loyal, and could always add a little levity when the situation called for it.  He will be greatly missed.

Services will be held at Parmele, Auchmoody & Schoonmaker Funeral Home, 110 Fulton Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 on Monday December 19, 2022 from 10am-12pm followed by interment at Union Cemetery on Route 9G in Hyde Park.  Memorial donations may be made to the Dutchess County SPCA, 636 Violet Ave, Hyde Park, NY  12538, the Friends of Gettysburg Foundation, PO Box 4629, Gettysburg, PA  17325, or Hudson Valley Hospice, 374 Violet Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY  12601.