Richard Schreder

Richard ‘Tabb” Schreder age 81 of Toledo Passed away Wednesday August 20, 2025, at the Divine Rehab and Nursing of Toledo. Tabb was born in Norfolk, VA on March 1, 1944, to Richard E. and Doris (Clayton) Schreder.

Tabb was a Renaissance man, loving science and art. He was an engineer to the bone, having come by that genetically from his father. He graduated from the University of Toledo twice – bachelor and masters of engineering – and taught engineering technology there for 28 years. His previous career was working at his father’s company, Airmate in Bryan OH, as an engineer for 19 years. That was when he had the opportunity to become a commercial pilot.

Tabb utilized those skills in many different contexts. He built furniture for his home and family members. He tore apart a Ferrari engine and put it back together, and it still ran! In doing historic home renovation in the Old West End, he repaired porcelain tile floors, sagging ceiling and porch roof. He converted mechanical door openers to open old fashioned garage doors. An apartment that he created in the 3rd floor using vintage materials looked like it had been there since 1904. The original kitchen had been turned into an apartment in the middle years of the house, but he returned it to a kitchen using Southern Yellow Pine flooring, bead board, and tin ceiling tiles.

In the process of refinishing their own floors, Tabb and neighbor Bob Brandow founded Floorcraft Designs and began doing floors for other neighbors. During that time, Tabb saw beautiful antique parquet floors. When he had his final home built, he spent the summer installing all the hardwood floors creating intricate and unique designs in 3 rooms – his masterpieces.

His artistic side showed itself 1st in painting watercolors, and then he went on to photography. During vacations he enjoyed visiting museums and art galleries. He filled his home with paintings. After his son AJ began piano lessons, Tabb followed suit.

Tabb was also an athlete. He played basketball until his 60th birthday. The most fun part of that was playing with Ken and AJ. He and his sons dominated when they participated in Open Gym at the UT Rec Center. He played softball in many different leagues. While he lived in Archbold, he played with a local team, and with a Bryan team, and a Toledo team – all in the same season. During college he was a member of a UT intramural volleyball team. He dabbled in archery and hunted pheasant, quail, and rabbit.

Tabb and Dana camped, beginning with canoe trips and ending with month-long vacations out West in their travel trailer. They traveled the USA and abroad.

In 1976 Tabb began his faith life by acknowledging that he needed Jesus Christ. He stayed the course and finished his journey, being received into the arms of his Saviour.

He is survived by his wife Dana (VanWormer), children Kenneth Tabb (Kerri) Schreder and Aaron Jeffrey (Marcy) Schreder, brother Douglas Lee Schreder, stepmother Angie Schreder, and sisters Carol (Jim) Schreder Czech and Karen (Randy) Schreder Barbera. He is also survived by 3 grandchildren, Kyler, Dylan and Kendal

The family will be receiving friends in the Urbanski Funeral Home a Life Celebration Home 5055 Secor Rd Toledo, Ohio on Sunday August 24, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Additional visitation will be on Monday August 25, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m.