Hoffmann-Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Cremation Service
Dwight William Bischel, of Dubuque and formerly of Evanston and Galena, IL, passed away of natural causes on February 28, 2020 at the young age of 91. Born on May 4, 1928, Dwight was the son of the late Albert Clair Bischel and Alice Bensen, and husband of the late Sally Krauss Bischel. A longtime resident of Evanston, Dwight attended Northwestern University, and pursued a career in the relatively young field of television, directing programs at NBC Channel 5, ABC Channel 7 and WFLD in Chicago. For many years he was the director of the popular Kukla, Fran and Ollie show, during which it won an Emmy Award. His show Newscope also won an Emmy. In 1957, Dwight traveled with station colleagues to the Soviet Union, a rare event during the height of the Cold War. Dwight later worked for Illinois Bell Corporate Television Group, directing internal films and videos. Dwight was a member of the Chicago Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, serving as the secretary for 18 years, and the Directors Guild of America. He also had a successful photography business, winning several awards for his work, including three at the International Exhibition of Nature Photography. Dwight was well known for his many charitable activities and life long association with scouting. An Eagle Scout and recipient of the Order of The Arrow and Silver Beaver Award, he was a long serving Scout Master for Evanston Troop 21 and a Wood Badge Counselor; for many years he took his scouts on expeditions to the Colorado Rocky Mountains and Scout Jamborees. In 1952, Dwight authored the much beloved Wabaningo Lodge Emblem Handbook, documenting the early badges of the Boy Scout's Order of the Arrow lodges. In 1976, he received Illinois Bell's most prestigious award, the Alexander Graham Bell Award for his community service, and in 1980 was given the prestigious Good Scout Award by the Chicago Area Council of BSA. Dwight was also an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Evanston, where he met his wife, Sally. Following his 1992 retirement from Illinois Bell, Dwight and Sally moved to Galena, IL, where he continued his community activities, becoming an active member of the Galena Rotary Club, instituting a program whereby every local 3rd grade student received a dictionary. In 1999, he was one of the club's Rotarians of the Year. Dwight worked on documenting local history, creating a detailed areal map of the Galena River, and creating several videos related to the Galena area. He was also a member of the Galena Art Guild, showing his photographs. Until 2016, local residents could often find him working at Gasser's Hardware Store, where he worked part-time, indulging in his love of computers, gadgets and strawberry milk shakes from nearby Culvers. Dwight was preceded in death by Sally, his wife of 37 years, his parents, and sister Elinor. He is survived by his son Wesley Bischel of Lancaster, PA, husband of Marsha, and their son Samuel. The family asks that donations be made to the Galena Rotary Club, c/o The DeSoto House, 230 South Main ST, Galena, IL 61036; or the Schapville Zion Presbyterian Church, 635 East Schapville Road, Elizabeth, IL 61028. And Dwight would have asked you to remember him by doing "a good turn" for others. Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in care of arrangements. Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Dwight's obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.
LINKS
The Galena Gazette
http://www.galenagazette.com
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