Richard Taylor Schulze

Richard Taylor Schulze (August 7, 1929 – December 23, 2025) was an American businessman and Republican politician from Pennsylvania who served nine consecutive terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 1993. Representing Pennsylvania’s 5th congressional district, his constituency encompassed portions of Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester Counties in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. Over the course of his 18 years in Congress, Schulze played an active role in the legislative process and in Republican Party leadership at both the state and national levels.

Schulze was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the surrounding area. He graduated from Haverford High School in 1948. He pursued higher education at several institutions, attending the University of Houston in 1949, Villanova University in 1952, and Temple University in 1968. His early adulthood was marked by military service; from 1951 to 1953 he served in the United States Army, an experience that preceded his entry into business and later public office.

Following his military service, Schulze established himself in the private sector, working in the appliance business in Paoli, Pennsylvania. His business career provided him with experience in commerce and management that would later inform his legislative interests, particularly in areas related to taxation, trade, and regulatory policy. At the same time, he became increasingly involved in local civic and political affairs, building a base of support in Chester County and the surrounding region.

Schulze formally entered public life in county government, serving as Register of Wills of Chester County from 1967 to 1969. He then advanced to state office as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he served two terms. His tenure in the state legislature helped establish his reputation as a Republican leader and prepared him for federal legislative responsibilities. In 1974, he successfully ran for the United States House of Representatives, beginning his first term in Congress on January 3, 1975.

During his service in Congress from 1975 to 1993, Schulze emerged as an influential Republican voice on fiscal, economic, and natural resource issues. He rose to become a top-ranking member on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and served as the senior Republican member on its Oversight Subcommittee. In addition, he served on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Banking Committee, reflecting his engagement with national defense, financial regulation, and economic policy. Schulze also served on the House Natural Resources Committee and was a member of the Migratory Bird Commission, underscoring his involvement in conservation and wildlife issues.

Within the Republican Conference, Schulze held several key leadership roles. He chaired the Republican Study Committee, a caucus of conservative House members, and served as the Republican Whip for Pennsylvania, coordinating party strategy and votes among the state’s GOP delegation. President Ronald Reagan appointed him to the Presidential Advisory Committee on Federalism, and Schulze was identified as one of the “Reagan 13,” a group of House Republicans closely aligned with the administration’s policy agenda. President George H. W. Bush later appointed him to the Board of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, further extending his influence in environmental and conservation policy. In 1990, Schulze founded the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the related Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, institutions that became prominent vehicles for advancing issues important to hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts. He also served as Chairman of the National Prayer Breakfast and was a participant in the House of Representatives’ weekly prayer breakfast for over 30 years.

After leaving Congress in 1993, Schulze remained active in public policy and political affairs. He became a consultant with Valis Associates, a Republican-oriented consulting firm in Washington, D.C. In that capacity, he advised clients on a range of issues including energy, transportation, free trade, business taxation, environmental law as it affects business, and gun politics in the United States. His post-congressional work drew on his long legislative experience and his committee background, allowing him to continue influencing national debates in the private sector.

Schulze’s personal life was marked by long-standing family and community ties. In 1955, he married Anne Nancy Lockwood, with whom he had four children. Their marriage lasted until her death from breast cancer on February 16, 1990. He later married Nancy Waltermire (née Senechal), the widow of former Montana Secretary of State Jim Waltermire. Richard Taylor Schulze died of heart failure at his home in Washington, D.C., on December 23, 2025, at the age of 96, closing a career that spanned military service, business, state and federal office, and continued engagement in public policy well into his later years.