With his wife Karen by his side, local business owner Richard Schiffhauer passed away on August 1, 2023 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 60 years old.

Rick was born in Rochester to Angela and Robert Schiffhauer, and grew up in the city's 10th Ward. This community, along with his close-knit family and large circle of friends, help mold Rick into a man of integrity, action, and faith. An athletic young man, Rick excelled at football, lacrosse, and softball; his love of sports was a life-long passion. Even as a young man, Rick showed a flair for entrepreneurship, owning his first business (a corner store and deli) in his early twenties. After attending John Marshall High School, Rick went on to study at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Rick owned several local businesses, including being the president and co-owner of the Rochester Athletic Club, which he ran with his brothers and other partners. In 2002, he met and became friends with Karen Larzelere. At that time, he had no idea that she would become the love of his life. Six years later they began dating and eventually married.

By 2012, Rick began to dream of owning a business devoted to softball and baseball. He went on to open Smash It Sports, which sells softball and baseball bats, sport apparel, and other athletic equipment. Originally, he ran this business from Karen and Rick's basement, but it grew exponentially; today Smash It Sports has retail representatives all over the country.

Rick's greatest happiness came from spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, whom he adored. He loved football Sundays with his family, travelling with his sons and friends to Big East tournaments, and visits to the Saratoga Racetrack. Rick coached his daughters' softball teams and was their greatest fan, showing up to their games even when he was fighting cancer. He volunteered as a coach for the Greece Little League, and loved to share his love of softball and baseball with young players. Inspired by his daughters' love of softball, Rick created a women's fast pitch softball league, and was a dedicated supporter of women's softball.

Friends describe Rick as an optimistic, outgoing, determined man. Those qualities were put to the test when Rick was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in 2020. Refusing to accept defeat, Rick and his wife became dedicated fundraisers on behalf of the Seena Magowitz Foundation; Rick also shared his cancer journey publically in interviews, determined to pass along his message of hope to other cancer patients and their families.

Rick Schiffhauer was predeceased by his parents, Angela and Robert. He leaves behind his devoted wife Karen Schiffhauer; his children Matt (Alyssa), Erin, Rickie, Riley, and Kendall Schiffhauer; and his grandchildren MacKenzie, Ethan, and James. Rick is survived by his brothers Robert (Guyanne) and John (Susan) Schiffhauer, and his uncles Richard (Mary) Cicotta, John (Dotty) Cicotta, and Jerry (Susan) Schiffhauer. He was a loving uncle to Marc Mancini; Lindsey, Robert, and Taylor Schiffhauer; Jennifer (James) Peterson; and Jane (Tony) Scarlota. Rick was an affectionate son-in-law to Kathleen Larzelere and brother-in-law to Michael and Robert (Mary) Larzelere. Rick also leaves behind a huge circle of friends.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, August 10th from 3-7 pm at Bartolomeo and Perotto Funeral Home, located at 1411 Vintage Lane, Rochester, NY 14626. A mass of Christian burial will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 4492 Lake Avenue, Rochester, NY 14612. Mass will begin at 10:30 am.

Donations in Rick's memory may be made to the Wilmot Cancer Center at tinyurl.com/mv57pk6b or the Seena Magowitz Foundation at tinyurl.com/2p8n9uxw