DERBY — Richard Allen (Dick) Schremmer, 71, died March 25, 2026, in Wichita, Kan. Schremmer was born June 27, 1954, in Great Bend, Kan., to Irene and Frank Schremmer of Beaver, Kan.
He began his career in the oilfield during high school. At 15, he worked for Chase Tank Service, cleaning out the bottoms of old oil tanks and handling other prestigious jobs. After high school, Schremmer decided to get an education rather than go to school and took a position with Kewanee Oil Company. Oil was $3 a barrel, and he was only the second person hired at the company in 18 years. He initially worked in Barton and Stafford Counties before being transferred to Medicine Lodge in Barber County. It was there that he met and, on Dec. 18, 1976, wedded Janice.
When Schremmer was 25 years old, the company (which was now Gulf Oil Company) transferred him to Wichita, where he became the production superintendent for all the company’s assets east of Highway 14. In 1985, after Chevron USA acquired Gulf Oil, Schremmer struck out on his own, forming Bear Petroleum, which today operates hundreds of wells in Kansas and Oklahoma. In 1988, he acquired a small well-servicing company, Gressel Oil Field Service, growing it from a two-rig operation into a full oilfield services company and supply store with locations across the state.
Schremmer served as president of the Association of Energy Service Companies (AESC), National Stripper Well Association (NSWA), Liaison Committee of the Cooperating Oil & Gas Associations of the United States, Kansas Independent Oil & Gas Association (KIOGA), and Wichita Petroleum Club. He was the recipient of the Meritorious Service to the Association Award (Independent Petroleum Association of America), Distinguished Leader Award (NSWA), Golden Rod Wrench Award (AESC), Legend of the Industry Award (KIOGA), President’s Leadership Award (KIOGA), and Grasslands Award (Barber County Conservation District). Schremmer was inducted into the Kansas Oil & Gas Hall of Fame in 2021.
A parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Schremmer was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and a volunteer dishwasher at the Lord’s Diner in Wichita for 25 years. Of all his achievements, Schremmer’s most cherished title was husband, father, and ‘Papa’ to his grandchildren.
Schremmer is survived by his wife of 49 years, Janice Schremmer; sons Robert (Allan) of Missouri and Joseph (Kelsey) of Oklahoma; daughter Traci Pierpoint (Phil) of Derby; granddaughters Andi, Frankie, and Cori Pierpoint of Derby; brothers Wayne (Teresa) of Wichita and Leonard (Nancy) of Colorado; and sister Dee Volpert (Stephen) of Great Bend. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers Alvin, Tom, Melvin, and Marvin Schremmer.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 31, at 5 p.m. at Smith Family Mortuary, 1415 N. Rock Rd., Derby, Kan., with a Rosary and Vigil to follow at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 2300 E. Meadowlark Rd., Derby, Kan. Burial will be the following day, Thursday, April 2, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Beaver, Kan. Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or KyMel, Inc., for the benefit of Camp Hope.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Smith Family Mortuary
1415 N. Rock Road
Derby, KS 67037
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 31, 2026
