John Schneider

John Edward Schneider, athlete, coach, athletic director, teacher, University Professor, and administrator, found His peace on April 27, 2011 after a short, courageous fight with cancer. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Joseph Edward Schneider, and Fern Elizabeth Wray. He was 82 and is survived by his wife, of 55 years, Loretta (Fuerth), four children and nine grandchildren. Dr Schneider, a Southeast Missouri State Univ. Professor Emeritus, was a true professional with 30 years of dedicated teaching, coaching, and administration whose advising, counseling and encouragement positively affected countless teaching and athlete�s careers. He was a community servant who continued to use his talents, dedication and loyalty to his alma mater and his community through volunteer service during his retirement. And most importantly, John was also a father of four successful professionals who carry on his steadfast faith and dedication to service above himself. John graduated from St. Mary�s High School in St. Louis and began his athletic career on a football scholarship at St. Louis University. When football was discontinued at SLU, he came to Southeast Missouri State Teacher�s College and continued his love of the game on a scholarship. He earned four letters , was named to MIAA All-Conference Team four times and was chosen as a Football All-American by NAIA in his senior year. Known as the "magnetic fingered" left end, he was a member of the 1955 undefeated Football Team. John�s football career was interrupted in 1949 when he enlisted for four years in the United States Navy, serving on the USS Latimer APA during the Korean conflict, as a hospital corpsman. Each fall he was allowed to return to Virginia to join the Little Creek Virginia Football Team. When his service commitment was completed, he returned to finish his education at Southeast Missouri. His athletic accomplishments earned him one of the original spots in the Southeast Missouri athletic Hall of Fame. He completed a BS in Education, with major in physical education, and history in 1956; a Masters of Education from University of Missouri in 1959; and his Doctorate of Education from Vanderbilt Univ. in 1973. John�s coaching career began at Fulton, MO High School, in 1956 where he coached, football, baseball and track. In 1957, he went to Yuma Union High School, in Yuma, Arizona before being asked to return to his alma mater in 1959 as assistant football coach under Kenneth Knox. At Southeast, besides being the assistant football coach and athletic trainer 1959-1967, he coached golf, 1960-1967, was physical education teacher 1959-1989, graduate studies advisor, athletic director 1970-1977, and department chair, 1977-1989. His tenure at Southeast spanned 31 years from 1959 to 1990. Early in his teaching career, John began his dedication to the community and things larger than himself when he received a Kennedy Stipend for Special Education Seminar, at Southern Methodist University, and ultimately received numerous grants for Special Education, and gave special assistance, and created special rehabilitation classes for students with special needs. In 1963, he designed and developed the student intramural program. As an independent studies advisor, John assisted students in Movement Education, Elementary Physical Education, History of Physical Education, Philosophy of Sport, Special Physical Education for trainable Mentally Handicapped, and care of Athletic Injuries. Dr. Schneider advised graduate students and served as thesis advisor for students pursuing masters degrees in all areas of physical education, coaching and special education and was instructor /trainer for American Red Cross. In 1975, he served as Project Admin for National Youth Sports Program, held on SEMO Campus. In 1976, he brought to Cape Girardeau the first State of Missouri Special Olympics held on SEMO campus. As a member of the Southeast faculty, John served on the Faculty Senate as parliamentarian, University Commencement Committee, Graduate Council, Athletic Committee, Credits and Classifications, Teacher Education, Basketball and track Tournament Mgr., University Representative, Athletic Booster Club, Timer for Men�s Varsity Basketball Games, Crowd Control Supervisor and consultant for all campus activities held at Houck Field House. John was Member of the Athletic Booster Club from 1976-2011, and Copper Dome Foundation member from 1983-2011. Following retirement in 1990, he continued his volunteer service as announcer for home football games, and timer for Men�s Varsity Basketball Games, until 1996. In service to the community, he was a Charter Member of the Board of Directors, Sheltered Workshop, which later became VIP Industries, Little League Baseball Coach and Manager �70-�74, Chairman and member of Cape Parks and Recreation Board, �70-�76. During his tenure as Chairman, a partnership was created between Board of Education, and City for year round public swimming pool activities. John also designed, developed and implemented the first Touch Football League, for boys 8-12, and served as the director for four years. John was Chairman and original member of Historic Preservation Commission for Cape Girardeau. During his tenure, he initiated fund raising efforts to raise $25,000, for the metal fence for Old Lorimier Cemetery after repeated vandalism incidents. He was also President, treasurer and longtime member of Greater Cape Historical Assn. Not withstanding his many accomplishments, John was most proud of his service to his Catholic faith as Chairman of Restoration Committee of Historic Old St. Vincent�s Church. He administered fund raising, and restoration efforts which resulted in complete restoration of the English Gothic Church built in 1853, and set for demolition. He continued as a Member of Board of Directors, Friends of Old St. Vincent�s from 1985-92. John was also a dedicated patriot and a lifetime member of the VFW. Dr. Schneider will be best remembered by his students, and athletes, as a strict but loving disciplinarian, and his never ending sense of humor. And in John�s own often quoted words after various events, "That�s it sports fans." Besides his wife, Loretta, John is survived by four children, Ann Elizabeth Hamilton, (Stephen), of Town and Country, Missouri, John Arthur (Susan) Schneider, of Concord, North Carolina, Joseph M. (Laurie) Schneider, of Cape Girardeau, and Lieutenant Colonel James C. (Lt Col Beverly) Schneider of Helena, Montana; grandchildren--George Hamilton; Victoria, Samuel, and Julia Schneider; Sam Schneider; and Christopher, Marissa, August and Zoe Schneider. He is also survived by One brother, James Martin Schneider of Camdenton, MO, and two sisters, Claudia Hayduk and Barbara Thomas of St. Louis. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister. Visitation for Dr. Schneider will be Sunday, May 1st, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Old Saint Vincent�s Church. A funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 2nd at Old Saint Vincent�s Church. Burial with full military honors will follow at Saint Mary�s Cemetery. Arrangements are being made by Ford & Sons Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, John wished to have donations made to the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Foundation Special Fund in his honor.

Tributes

John Schneider

April 27, 2011