Zahrl G Schoeny

Zahrl G Schoeny, 90, of Charlottesville, Virginia, passed away peacefully at his home on April 23, 2026 surrounded by family, friends, amazing caregivers and his ever present shadow, Ruby the labradoodle.

Born on May 11, 1935, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Zahra and Paul Schoeny, Zahrl grew up in Phoenix and Tucson. His family were founding members of the Bahá’í community in Tucson and he frequently taught about the faith through community presentations and talks.

He was, at heart, a teacher. Zahrl earned a master’s degree in audiology from the University of Kansas and a doctorate in auditory physiology from Northwestern University. He held appointments at the University of Virginia in Audiology and Speech Pathology and later with the Curry School of Education in Leadership and Technology. In 1982 he was recognized as the Beltone Outstanding Audiology Professor for the U.S. and Canada, a reflection of the deep care he brought to his work and students.

He loved craft and detail and working with his hands, from wood working to gold and silver jewelry creation. Photography, first discovered in a high school darkroom, became a lifelong passion, evolving from the intricate world of microphotography of the auditory system to the natural beauty of wildfowl and landscapes. In 1984 he was awarded first prize in color for his photograph of fighting Canada geese at the Mid-Atlantic Wildfowl Festival. Zahrl also danced professionally, including ballet, ballroom, modern, flamenco, and Afro-Cuban dance.

Zahrl is survived by his children Mara Schoeny, Deya Hart (Greg Hart), Darin Schoeny, and Alissa Schoeny; grandchildren Raleigh Hart (Caleb Williams) and Greer Hart-McCormick (Nick McCormick); great-grandson, Joe McCormick; his stepdaughter Valerie Hager Zentner (Kenny Zentner); and grandchildren Aaron Flynn (Denali Halsey), Lauren Zentner, and Jacob Zentner. Zahrl was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 46 years, Donna Lou Angell Hager Schoeny; his stepdaughters Brenda Hager Flynn and Laurie Beth Hager.

He delighted in discovery, in good food, in puns good and bad, in the pleasure of learning something new and sharing it with others. Zahrl embraced life with humor and kindness. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.