Former Mount Angel Mayor Rick Schiedler, who led the city in the years after the Great Recession, died June 5 at the age of 67.
Schiedler served as mayor from 2009 to 2013, in addition to years on the City Council, Budget Committee and Planning Commission since the 1980s. His tenure as mayor was marked by the 2008 market collapse, the introduction of digital record access, and improvements to streets and parks.
Mount Angel City Manager/Police Chief Mark Daniel told Our Town the community has “lost a very involved and well loved member.”
“[Schiedler] will be missed by the entire community, and we are in debt to he and his family for his faithful service to Mount Angel,” said Daniel.
Schiedler’s foray in civic leadership began in 1988 with a two-year term on the city’s Budget Committee, and then on the Planning Commission from 1993 to 2000. He won a seat on the City Council in 2006 from a pool of seven candidates seeking three spots, then ran unopposed for mayor in 2008 and 2010 before declining to seek re-election in 2012.
As mayor, Schiedler sought to revitalize downtown businesses amid the Great Recession and was credited by the Mount Angel Chamber of Commerce with fostering growth during a global downturn.
He also spearheaded efforts to publish public documents on the city’s then-new website, including meeting agendas and minutes, ordinances and development codes. He said the goal was to increase transparency and reduce time spent by staff fulfilling public record requests.
Schiedler prioritized improvements to streets and parks including restoration of the Park Board and creation of a street committee. During his two terms the city undertook improvements to Saalfeld Family Park and Ebner Park, and facilitated Pepsi-led improvements at John B. Humpert Park.
He was named an Outstanding Volunteer by Portland General Electric, for whom Schiedler worked for 38 years before retiring in 2021. He was recognized for his role in fostering growth and improving city services, as well as his work with groups such as Mount Angel Oktoberfest and Knights of Columbus.
Schiedler was also named the 2012 recipient of the Margaret Hoffer Community Service Award by the Chamber. Then-City Administrator Susan Muir said at the time Schiedler was “a hands-on mayor” with a strong work ethic and a focus on community.
After leaving public office Schiedler remained active in civics including in 2014 when he took part in a successful election campaign to update the City Charter. He was also a Republican Precinct Person for Marion County in 2018 and 2022.
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Rick Schiedler was born Aug. 18, 1956 in Silverton, Oregon, to Regina (Traeger) and Edward Schiedler.
He graduated from Kennedy High School in 1975, then attended Central Oregon Community College where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Forestry.
Rick is survived by his wife of 47 years, Cindy Schiedler; mother, Regina; daughters, Sara (Peter) Beyer, Jessica Saltalamachia, Allison (Anthony) Mayer; grandchildren, Emma, Abigail and Logan Beyer, Lily and Dylan Saltalamachia, Grace, Anna, and Joseph Mayer; siblings, Barb Horner, Beth (Joe) Pelletier, Mike (Paula), Tom (Lori), Jack, Duane (Julie), David; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on June 12 at St. Mary Catholic Church with burial at Calvary Cemetery. Donations can be made to St. Mary Catholic Church in Mount Angel, or Mt. Angel Knights of Columbus
Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel.
