Roy Schickerowski
November 17, 1945 – August 22, 2023
Photos Courtesy of Schickerowski Family/Billy Melville Collection
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association is grieving the loss of former chuckwagon driver Roy Schickerowski on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at the age of 77.
Roy began his career as an outrider in the early 1970’s and began driving a few years later. He took out his pro card with the Canadian Rodeo Cowboys Association (CRCA) and ran his first race as a professional chuckwagon driver at the Trochu Lions Club Race Meet in 1978. In 1979 Roy competed for the first time at the Cheyenne Frontier Days, and when the World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) was formed in 1981, Roy was a founding member.
Roy’s first real taste of success came in 1981 at one of the biggest shows of the day – the Big M Stampede – in Morris, Manitoba. While hooked in a tough heat along side perennial champions Ralph Vigen, Reg Johnstone and George Normand, Roy not only won his heat, but by the time the night finished up, he had won his first career day money by a quarter of a second over another perennial champion – Kelly Sutherland.
In 1982, Roy had a breakthrough when he won the Drumheller Stampede and Ag Society Race Meet, and by season’s end he had cracked the top 15 in the World Standings for the first time. In January of 1983, Roy was part of “Frontier Chuckwagon Races” – a small group of chuckwagon drivers who went on a winter tour of California and Arizona trying to promote chuckwagon racing in the United States. He won the Ward Willard Extravaganza Chuckwagon Races at Vulcan in 1984, competed at the Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby in 1985, and retired from competition following the 1986 season.
In his short time as a chuckwagon driver, Roy Schickerowski certainly made his mark on the sport. He competed at all chuckwagon racing’s most storied and prestigious events of the day, competed against many of the greatest names the sport would ever see, captured two show championships, and promoted chuckwagon racing throughout North America. As a founding member of the WPCA, Roy served a board member at a key time during the Association’s formative years, and was twice the recipient of the WPCA’s Active Supporter Award in 1983 and 1985.
Roy will be lovingly remembered by his sons, Mike (Angie) Schickerowski, Chris (Becki) Schickerowski, Rod (Veronique) Egan; and daughter Tamara (Ken) Roth. His grandkids were always very special to him, and they will miss him deeply – Christopher and Brandon Millard; Cole, Audrey, and Jacqueline Egan; Eddie, Lincoln, and Savannah Schickerowski; and Cassandra and Kayleigh Schickerowski. He also leaves behind a sister, Beatrice Bellamy; brother, Allen Schickerowski; many nieces and nephews, and some of the dearest friends he ever could have asked for.
He was predeceased by two sons, Norman Green and Shawn Schickerowski; his mom, Hilda Schickerowski; and sister, Margie Schickerowski. Roy was also predeceased by his wife Audrey in July 2010, and he missed her every single day.
At Roy’s request, there will be no formal funeral service, but an informal celebration of Roy’s life will be held at Roy’s residence – 173 – 1st Avenue, Irricana, Alberta on Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 11:00am to 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 29 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N2
Roy will be missed by all in the WPCA, and we extend our sincere condolences to the Schickerowski family.
Billy Melville
