Schell Ames Hickel passed away on May 8th, 2026.

He resided in Santa Fe, NM with his wife Tamela (TJ) Hickel and dog Elliot since moving from St. Paul, MN in 2023. 

Schell was retired from a career as a scenic artist for Rush River Scenic in Baldwin, WI and beloved animation faculty at MCAD in Minneapolis. 

He began his artistic career as a stop motion animator at Will Vinton Studios in Portland, OR. Schell, born in Boulder, CO then grew up in Riverside, CA and Shawnee, CO. 

As a curious adult, Schell lived in Portland, OR until moving to St. Paul, MN with his former spouse and young children. 

Schell is survived by: 

Tamela Hickel, wife 

Sam Hickel,son (Lorena)

Maddy Lusch, daughter (Adam) 

Hal Hickel, brother (Triva) 

Nicole Krout, stepsister (Toby) 

Kiersta Paul, stepsister (Casey) 

Susan Hickel, stepmother 

From TJ Hickel, his wife: 

After a battle for 15 days in a Santa Fe hospital, Schell died after complications with 4 surgeries and pneumonia. Too much pain to breathe, to talk, to walk, to eat. He wanted no more pain and I had to honor that.Last words he wrote: I lived, I saw beauty. I had enough. I was enough.

A celebration of life will be scheduled for late summer. Flowers can be sent to TJ. 

Any memorial donations will go to local arts and reading charities.