So this story about Joshua Joseph Schlicht really resonated with me because it shows how quickly life can change. He passed away at just 35 on November 28, 2025. He played 3X3 Gus Macker basketball. People who knew him said he loved the game since he was young.
I have an older cousin I admire, and we used to shoot hoops outside my house when we were kids. When I read about how Joshua looked up to his older brother Collin, I felt a similar connection. Joshua saw Collin as a real hero, and according to the family, they were more like best friends who built much of their childhood around basketball.
They played together at home in their driveway and at the YMCA. They gave their best effort in the 3X3 Gus Macker tournaments, which are really fun if you’ve ever played in one. I remember joining a small city tournament once and how nervous yet excited I felt. I think Joshua felt that same thrill, but even stronger, since basketball was in his heart every day.
He watched NBA games with his brother, admiring players like Michael Jordan and others. That kind of passion is something a lot of us basketball fans understand. You see these players on TV and try to copy their moves, even though you often end up slipping. Joshua lived for moments like that.
People say Joshua was naturally good at connecting with others. He worked in sales and effectively used his confidence and communication skills. He also had a strong management ability and a drive to keep pushing forward, no matter what. I wish I had more of that because sometimes I become lazy with my own goals. Reading about someone like Joshua inspires me to want to change that.
Joshua was born on July 9, 1990, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the son of Lynn Obermeier and Thomas Schlicht. He was a father, son, brother, and friend who left this world too soon at thirty-five.
From what I gathered, Joshua lived life on his terms since he was a kid. He had a strong personality and always sought to understand life and improve himself. He enjoyed reading various spiritual books, including the Bhagavad Gita, Sutras, Apocrypha, Emerald Tablets, and the Bible. This shows he wanted a deeper understanding of life beyond what we see.
People who knew him said he had humor, warmth, curiosity, and a fun nature that made others feel comfortable around him. His mom once told him he looked like Mr. Rogers when he wore his sweater jacket. That line made me smile because it painted him as a friendly, soft-spoken guy.
The closest person to him was his ten-year-old daughter, Eleanor Lynn. She has many of his qualities, like kindness, empathy, and the ability to forgive. Joshua loved being her dad more than anything else. They played basketball together, attended Milwaukee Bucks games, and talked about hoops all the time. I remember playing basketball with my younger niece and how she would try to shoot, even though the ball was almost bigger than she was. Moments like that stay with you for life, so I can imagine how important those memories were for Joshua.
They also played video games, watched movies, spent summers throwing water balloons, and enjoyed simple moments. That made me think of my own childhood summers and how sometimes the little things matter the most.
Joshua leaves behind his daughter, Eleanor Lynn Schlicht; his brother, Collin Schlicht; his mother, Lynn Obermeier; his father, Thomas Schlicht; his sisters, cousins, and many friends. He loved his family deeply, and they loved him back. He is now reunited with his grandparents, Walter and Mae Obermeier, Robert and Janet Schlicht, and his uncle Joel Obermeier.
His family will have a private gathering to celebrate his life and remember everything he brought into their world.
Rest in peace, Joshua Joseph Schlicht. Your basketball dreams, your love for your family, and the way you lived will remain with the people who knew you. You may also be interested in: Broomfield High School Star Rachel Canaday Passes Away, Leaving Her Husband Evan and Community Heartbroken
