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<em>Richard Dean ‘Dick’ Shimunek</em> will always be remembered as a dedicated family man. His love and care for his family knew no bounds. His selfless help probably showed most during the difficulties with his youngest son, Harold. From Harold’s auto accident through his coma, rehab, and lifestyle change, Dick gave of himself at every turn. Dick was not alone, as the whole family was with him and Harold continuously.</p>
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These strong family traits came from his boyhood in Alma, MI with his parents. As an only child, his fond memories led to many compelling stories in his later years. His love of the outdoors included the love of deer and other wild creatures that visited the Shimunek home. Hunting and fishing trips with his father helped nurture that love and built a lasting parental bond.</p>
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His mother’s cooking, especially pie, was always included in his childhood tales. Before heading to West Point, Dick spent a year studying chemistry at Central Michigan University, giving him a head start on yearling academics. His interests at the Academy varied but always included outdoor activities like sailing and hiking. Dick was more adept than some finding a way to eat well during plebe year via the Fencing Team’s corps squad table. It was in cow year that he met Murphy, his future wife, in the cadet hostess lounge. That was the first of many wonderful weekends over the next year and a half. They were married the week after graduation in a beautiful ceremony at Murphy’s aunt’s home in Nyack, NY.</p>
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Rommel and Patton, cavalry and tanks led to the selection of Armor branch for Dick, so the Shimunek family headed to Fort Knox, KY before landing at Fort Polk, LA with the 1st Armored Division. Dick kept up his outdoor life as he and Murph took a tent camper across country before his next assignment in Hawaii. The family increased by two while there, so the contingent returning to Fort Knox included both son Dean and daughter Onahlea. Son Harold came along soon after, so by the time the family arrived back at West Point they were five.</p>
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As both a TAC and member of the Regimental Staff, then Captain Shimunek had a reputation as a tough, yet fair, taskmaster among the cadets. He will always be known as the one shoe OIC who caught several unsuspecting rule breakers on the upper floors of the barracks. Counting footfalls on the stairs became a passé art in the Corps as <em>‘</em>Ole One Shoe’ quilled many an unwary quarry.</p>
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After the second stint at Fort Knox for the Advanced Course, Dick headed off to Korea and his tour up at the DMZ. Murphy and the crew, meanwhile, spent the year in New London, CT. Treks down to the hut in Panmunjom as head of the security detail kept Dick busy while he was away for that year.</p>
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Back in the States, the Shimuneks next lived at Fort Campbell, KY while Dick was serving with the 101st Airborne. Most of it was training replacements and fillers while getting ready for the division’s deployment to Vietnam. Dick deployed as the executive officer of 2-17 Cav. and spent his year chasing the enemy in the jungle.</p>
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After returning home to serve in Strike Command for a short stay, Dick took the crew to Leavenworth, KS and then on to the U.S. Military Training Mission in Saudi Arabia. Dick helped sell F-15s to the Saudis while the family coped with desert living, plus Dean being in school in Spain. Back to the States again, they headed to Fort Hood, TX, where Dick was the III Corps IG for a year. He got his command tour at Fort Dix, NJ as a battalion commander in the 3rd Basic Training Brigade. Three years in New Jersey was a pleasant change, allowing the Shimunek children to stay in the same school system for a while.</p>
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The family’s last move was to Fairfax, VA, where they bought a house and spent many years there. Dick served in the Operational Test & Evaluation Agency and at Fort McNair, Washington, DC until he retired in 1983. Dick saw the children graduate from high school and the two oldest from college. He and Murphy also celebrated the marriage of their two sons and the birth of their first grandchild. Dick went into the real estate business in Fairfax. He also enjoyed his time as a volunteer patrolman in the Fairfax Police Department.</p>
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In the summer of 1985, a fast-moving cancer developed from his exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service. The disease took him in October with all of his family surrounding him. Following the service at the chapel, he was buried on a knoll in the Coast Guard Section of Arlington Cemetery near Murphy’s parents’ graves. His family and friends have sorely missed Dick over these years. His wit, his dedication, and his love will be with all of his family and friends forever.</p>