Name: Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Century Drive
Address: Greenville, SC

As a young missionary wife in western Canada, I remember Dr. Schnaiter as the co-director of the Western Canada Mission Team.  He brought his cheery personality and loving wisdom to our home on Vancouver Island! We always looked forward to his coming and hated to see him go.  May God comfort your hearts.  II Corinthians 5:1

I just this weekend was startled to learn of Dr. Schnaiter’s homegoing.  He was my teacher for a semester of Bible Doctrines, well over three decades ago now.  Our paths crossed only rarely in recent years, but I remember his kind, unassuming manner and his genuine interest in me.  Dr. Schnaiter and I met last just after my father’s promotion to Glory.  By God’s grace, we will meet again.  May the God of all comfort meet the needs of his dear ones during these days....as none but He can.

Where to begin? I was profoundly impacted by him both in the classroom and then after graduation. He developed in me a love for the Greek language that continues to today. Over the years, he would also respond to my email questions with insightful answers. But I have four special memories. The first was in my first Greek class with him where he had warned the students not to bring Greek helps to class. Guys would bring them and then sit on them to hide them from him. I remember during an exam, hearing all these grunts as he would take the window opener and poke at guys until they moved enough that he could grab the books. After the exam, he had a stack of Greek helps on his desk and made it clear that he never wanted to see these in class again. The second memory is taking 3rd year Greek classes with grad students and watching him make them sweat with his $20,000 questions. Those of us who had taken classes with him knew the "shtick" and weren't worried; we'd just sit there and watch. He did this to demonstrate that you needed to know your Greek and not just get by. My third memory was when he taught us nothing in class but read to us the life of a theological student by B.B. Warfield and talked with us about our walk with Jesus as most important. My final memory comes from 2014 when we were at the viewing for my nephew. Dr. Schnaiter came and stayed to talk with my wife and me, and for the remainder of the viewing time we introduced him to everyone as our uncle. He was such a joy, such a blessing, and such an encouragement. My heart is saddened by his passing but rejoicing in his homegoing and a life well-lived. Thank you Jesus for such a godly example!

I will miss Dr. Schnaiter very much. He was my professor for a few PhD courses and was my office-mate for two years (2005-2007). He taught me NT textual criticism with such a good spirit, which is quite rare to find in that field. I always appreciated his humble but strong scholarship and love for the Lord and his wife. I still remember him saying as he left his office, "I'm going home to comfort my wife." Now the Lord is her comforter, and I am praying for abundant comfort during this time of loss! In Christ's Love, Dr. Troy Manning

I will miss Dr. Schnaiter’s smile and interest in our ministry. Every time he saw us he wanted to know where we were and how we were serving. Mrs. Schnaiter, be assured of our love and prayers for you. I am currently overseas serving in missions just like your husband introduced us to missions on the Western Canada Missions team. Pastor Michael & Sheri Privett

My sincere condolences to the family and friends. My major was nursing so I didn’t have Dr. Schnaiter for any classes. However, by the comments, letters and accolades I can tell he was a greatly loved and respected man. May his family and friends find great comfort in the exemplary Christian life he lived. 

Cynthia B Holtzclaw 
(Nursing, 1976, 1983)

I graduated from BJU in 2012 and received 3 semesters of Greek class under Dr. Schnaiter. I loved it and my class notes have scattered Dr. Schnaiter quotes in the margins. (I actually met my now husband for the first time in one of Dr. Schnaiter's classes.) In 2016, I earned the privilege of having my name just below Dr. Schnaiter's on the credits page of the BJU Greek Workbook, 5th ed., and we worked together on the Handbook as well. My favorite story from Greek class was Dr. Schnaiter's account of the private Greek lessons (with quizzes!) he gave to his fiancée in the dating parlor at BJU. I hope that you, his dear wife, continued to put up well with his passion for the Greek language, which passion he is in part responsible for instilling in me as well. I am thankful to have studied under him. 

We have fond memories of staying at your house during snow storms when Trish was in HS. You were so gracious to Tris and me!! I especially remember Sam's laugh-so contagious!!! Our love and prayers are with you all!🙏😘

Dr. Schnaiter was what we in the South call "good people." He and Dr. Nutz had a big impact on my life my freshman year at BJU.  I was a pre-law major and decided to go on a missions trip to Western Canada.   Dr. Schnaiter was so patient and kind and helped give me a love for missions.   He was obviously brilliant, but humble as well.  He will be greatly missed.  

Great Christian gentleman, scholar, and friend for over 50 years. Lunch together monthly for the past 10+ years. Praying for the family.  John Mincy

Mr. Schnaiter came to our Bible quiz teams on the first of the month to give overviews and background information of the passages we were studying per request of our quiz coach Andy Petersen.  He was a fellow member of Heritage Bible Church and I was in youth group with his son Michael and daughter Lisa. We had great times on the Canada mission trips.  I also had Mr. Schnaiter for a summer school class in college.  He was fond of me and I will remember his good humor.  Enter into the joy of your Lord, Mr. Schnaiter!

It's bittersweet to hear of the death of my friend, Sam Schnaiter. It's bitter for me because Sam was everything he appeared to be--friendly, humorous, and wise. He officiated at my wedding (the first time he had done this as I recall) and was part of my ordination to the pastorate. It's also sweet because there is no doubt that he has entered into the presence of his Savior for whom he labored in this life. 

I remember him as a lively and competent Greek teacher at BJU. I’ve been serving the Lord here at a Bible college in the Philippines partly as a result of his faithful teaching ministry. 

The Lord has intertwined Sam Schnaiter into my life ever since 1962. Living across the hall from each other for 1 1/2 years, rooming together for 1 1/2 years, living together and working in the same plant in Detroit for a summer, working together in the Dining Common I don't know how many years, living next door to him and his family for over a year and many other contacts over the years.  He used to say I was his only   brother [he had none by birth].  I had two by birth but he was as close as any brother could be..  Praise the Lord he is no longer in pain.   But it is painful to lose him.--Larry Gilaspy

The Lord has allowed me to know a lot of very intelligent, godly, and humble people. Sam was in the “Top 5” of that group. Always had a quick smile, a kind word, and a twinkle in his eyes which betrayed the humor that often tumbled out of him! Sam will be missed by a lot of people, but he’s rejoicing in hearing his dear Savior say “well done thou good and faithful servant”.

When I was in High School, the Schnaiter Family graciously came with the Nutz Family during the summer months in the 80’s in Bob Jones University branded vans bringing dozens of American college teenagers to our small Baptist church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, which met in a strip mall in northeast Calgary, a city of 641,000 in 1986.  They had churches across Western Canada that hosted them and also an Indian Reserve in Manitoba.  Sam, Marilyn, Michael, Stephan, and Lisa all came and were a blessing to our church and an influence on me personally.  Sam was the Biblical Greek language expert and Marilyn a college English professor.  There were probably hundreds of Christian type churches in Calgary at the time, but they chose us I guess because they agreed with us (we did not participate with the Billy Graham crusade that came to Calgary in 1981 because of the Ecumenical Evangelism they proposed) which I would be certain Sam agreed with us on this.  Dress and music standards, no booze, and Bible-based Gospel preaching and traditional service format.  There was a similar Baptist church in Calgary at the time, but they were known for King James Version Only teaching and the pastor wouldn’t allow fire inspections or get licensed to perform marriages because that was believed to be compromising with the State.  I don’t think Drs. Nutz or Schnaiter ever met the pastor of that church.  To this day, I miss those missions trips and having the guests to look forward to each summer.  Later when my sister and I attended Bob Jones University, the Schnaiters had our family over for dinner and welcomed us to the wonderful, conservative State of South Carolina.  Those days are long over now, but the memories are still top of mind.

It was with great sorrow I learned of Dr. Sam Schnaiter's death. Sam Schnaiter was first one of my professors, then my Ancient Languages department head while I was a Greek instructor, also Chairman of my Ph.D. dissertation committee, and finally a colleague and friend I made a point to visit on trips back to Greenville, SC. I couldn't find a photo of me with him, but I'm posting a photo of my dissertation signature page with Sam Schnaiter at the top. Three of the four members of my committee have now passed away and are with the Lord - a reminder that we have a limited time in this world to make a difference . . . and Sam Schnaiter certainly did that with excellence and faithfulness. May the memory of Dr. Sam Schnaiter be blessed!

He was a great teacher when I was a student at BJU from 1978-1982. I still use his illustration “The small mistake.” He was a great blessing to me and the family in Cyprus.

Dr. Schnaiter was a hero to me. Some of the life skills that I consider most valuable are ones that he, more than anyone, taught me in his Greek classes. His Christlikeness shone through in many ways. One was the joy with which he carried the heavy burdens of various kinds that resulted from the terrible car wreck when he was relatively young. I never saw him without his characteristic smile, laugh, puns (oh, the puns!) and praise to the Lord—and I saw quite a lot of him in many settings over many years. Another was the humility and grace with which he treated others. How well I recall the recalcitrant, arrogant Ph.D. student who received from Dr. Schnaiter not only patience but many unsalaried summertime hours of work to help him bring his dissertation up to acceptable quality for graduation. While my sense of earthly loss is deep, deeper yet is the joy I have for his sake, knowing that all his hardships are now behind him and nothing but glory ahead! May his tribe prosper and increase, and may I be found faithful in emulating his example! [P.S. This is my second attempt at posting this condolence. I hope my first one does not somehow appear later on and create a duplication.]

Dr. Schnaiter was a kind and diligent teacher. He taught a tiny class—me and one other student—New Testament textual criticism, and to this day I absolutely use the skills and knowledge he imparted. I am so grateful for him. That twinkle in his eye never seemed to leave.

Loved the good doctor, had many classes with him and GRACE when he helped me get through Advanced Greek Grammar alive, with an undeserved but barely passing grade! Got to know him better when he led the team to western  Canada. What a blessing he was. 

— Don Johnson, Victoria BC

My dear friend and colleague, Sam Schnaiter, has gone to heaven.

 A longtime friend of our family and a godly soulwinner, Sam had a perpetual twinkle in his eye and enjoyed laughing. His joy came from a close walk with the Lord. He was always ready to give a reason of the Hope that lies within us because of Christ. 

Among the wisest and most distinguished of Greek scholars, Sam carried his brilliance lightly, ever ready to lend a practical hand of support. No question or task was beneath him. Despite many hardships, he never complained, loved and lived out the Scriptures, and exhibited a servant’s heart. 

Sam was a faithful prayer warrior and trusted confidant. How I will miss his godly wisdom, compassion, humility, and spiritual leadership. I loved and respected him more than I can say.  

My love and prayers are with his dear wife and family.  Although our hearts are heavy, there is great rejoicing in heaven today. 

With heartfelt condolences,
Dr. Susan Kindall

Dr. Schnaiter was my undergrad advisor. I was very privileged to have him as a professor in upper level Greek and Bible Doctrines. His keen intellect and loyalty to the Word of God will be missed! 

I first got to know Sam while caring for him as an orderly at Barge  hospital in the mid-1070’s,  following his tragic car accident and long recovery. He diligently used his time to study during this hospitalization. I have always appreciated his cheerful and humorous ways. I also appreciated his evangelistic zeal.  What a great man who leaves behind a legacy of diligent teaching and fruitful ministry for Christ! 

OBITUARY

Dr. Samuel E. Schnaiter

11 February, 1942 – 17 March, 2022

Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Century Drive

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