Richard Schlavin

Richard Arthur Schlavin

Age 85, of Brooklyn Center passed away on September 4, 2020. Richard was born and grew up in St. Paul, graduating from Johnson High School. He was self-employed after 30 years with S&M Company, a tire, batteries and automotive supply warehouse in Minneapolis. He enjoyed photography.  He especially loved rescuing animals, many of the rescued became beloved pets. He was an avid spectator of college sports; and never missed Minnesota high school hockey championships.  His favorite books were James Herriot’s series, “If Only They Could Talk”, later serialized for TV as “All Creatures Great and Small.” Richard and Lena loved their frequent short trips to Grand Marais, MN and Door County, WI.   They also traveled extensively with Lena’s parents, some of their favorite trips were Sweden, Norway, through the Caribbean Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Mexico, Colombia, and Panama Canal. Richard was the household’s “chef” - he cooked a beautiful Thanksgiving turkey every year in his mother’s old roaster. Richard washed dishes; Lena dried! Richard vacuumed and Lena dusted! Always a team!!! Richard is dearly missed - he was a much beloved and wonderful husband, son, brother and uncle. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, mother-in-law and father-in-law, also one brother, two sisters, two nephews and many beloved family cats - Bitsy and Tony, Smokey, Bootsie, Whitey, Fritz - and the family pooch, Sebastian. Survived by his wife of 43 years, Marta “Lena”; kitty, Cleopatra; nieces, nephews; and his goddaughter. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Mayo Clinic Covid-19 Research Fund.