The name “Schofield” is well known at West Point. Plebes are required to memorize part of General John Schofield’s 1879 graduation speech on the essence of discipline:

The discipline which makes the soldiers of a free country reliable in battle is not to be gained by harsh or tyrannical treatment. On the contrary, such treatment is far more likely to destroy than to make an army. It is possible to impart instruction and give commands in such a manner and such a tone of voice as to inspire in the soldier no feeling, but an intense desire to obey, while the opposite manner and tone of voice cannot fail to excite strong resentment and a desire to disobey. The one mode or other of dealing with subordinate’s springs from a corresponding spirit in the breast of the commander. He who feels the respect which is due to others cannot fail to inspire in them respect for himself. While he who feels, and hence manifests, disrespect towards others, especially his subordinates, cannot fail to inspire hatred against himself.

General Schofield—USMA Class of 1853, Civil War veteran, former West Point Superintendent, and Commanding General of the U.S. Army—was Richard Tilford “Dick” Schofield III’s great-great-great-uncle. Because of this relationship, Dick was required to recite Schofield’s definition of discipline much more than anyone else. It became ingrained. “Respect for others” became an important part of Dick’s character and served him well throughout his life.

At West Point, Dick’s resonant “tone of voice” was heard regularly with the Glee Club and the Cadet Chapel Choir.

Putting first things first, less than a month after graduation, Dick married the love of his life, Marjorie Bollhoffer. In time, Marjorie and Dick shared the joys and challenges of parenting Lynda (1961), Richard IV (1965), and Laura (1967).

Dick experienced the Cold War up close just after the Berlin Wall was erected in 1961. His initial assignment, after completing artillery and airborne training, was with the 24th Infantry Division in Germany. The division reinforced the Berlin Brigade. He was soon selected as an aide-de-camp to the division’s commanding general. In this capacity, Schofield saw the enormous challenges facing badly outnumbered NATO forces on the Cold War front lines. 

Next, Dick was selected to command Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment. With several Korean War veteran non-commissioned officers, Schofield led more than 100 soldiers in providing critical fire-direction, communications, survey, counter-battery radar, ammunition, and other support to the battalion’s firing batteries.

After three years of active duty, Dick resigned from the Army and served in the Army Reserves for eight more years. 

Upon returning from Germany, Dick first joined a fruit processing business in the Midwest. He soon found a better job with U.S. Gypsum Company in Chicago. “USG” (stock market symbol) was a leading producer of building material, including drywall, flooring, and ceilings. 

With a solid foundation in the building products industry, Dick next decided to work for Ingersoll Rand (IR), a leading industrial tools company with roots dating back to 1872. IR was a market leader in drilling and compressor technologies, the latter critical in propelling liquids and gases through pipelines. As a systems engineer, Dick and his family moved to Grand Rapids, MI for their next eight years. 

In 1977, Dick found a good fit with Mobil Oil Corporation. The family moved back to Chicago as Dick joined in one of the world’s largest oil companies, which dates back more than 150 years to the original Standard Oil Company. Schofield worked his way up to territorial manager in 1985. After the merger in 1999, he served in a similar role with ExxonMobil. Dick was responsible for the Great Lakes District until his retirement in 2003. It was a mutually beneficial relationship as they competed successfully on the international marketplace over a 27-year career with ExxonMobil.

In retirement, Dick became a mentor for aspiring cadets as a West Point Field Force representative. Along with General Schofield, he extended the Schofield tradition in the Long Gray Line well into the future. 

— Company G-1 classmates