Richard G. Schimmel, 101, of Allentown, died Feb. 3, 2024, in Phoebe Nursing Home, Allentown. He was the husband of the late Yolanda L. (Cocca) Schimmel.

Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late John and Florence (Schneck) Schimmel.

He was a graduate of Allentown High School and Penn State College Business School.

He was one of the last Pearl Harbor survivors. Serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he was a staff sergeant with the 581st Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion who set up the first radar that detected the Japanese planes and was the fifth person to know the Japanese were attacking.

He was a salesman at the former Sears Roebuck and Company, Whitehall, for more than 30 years until his retirement. He was co-founder and past president of the Sears Retirees Club.

He was a devout Catholic and a member of Cathedral Church of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.

He is survived by two sons, Richard M. and wife Judith and Terence A. and fiancee Rosemary B. Wetherhold; four grandchildren, Ryan with Jennifer, Jill Sopa with Dren, Mark and Jennifer; and four great-grandchildren, Evan, Matthew and Drew and Dardan Sopa.

He was predeceased by a grandson, Anthony M.

Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org or Penn State Thon at thon.org.

Arrangements were made by Bachman, Kulik and Reinsmith Funeral Home, Allentown.