Robert August Schnell

Sept. 9, 1935 - July 23, 2015

Robert August "Bob" Schnell, 79, of Birmingham, Alabama died Thursday, July 23, 2015.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 from 2-4 p.m. at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, Alabama. The funeral service will follow visitation and start at 4 p.m. in Ridout's Southern Heritage Chapel.

The graveside service will be at Ohlman Cemetery in Ohlman, Illinois on Friday, July 31, 2015 at 1 p.m. Sutton Memorial Home, Nokomis, Illinois will handle arrangements.

Bob was born in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1958, he graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in chemical engineering, and served in the U.S. Army until 1964. He was a professional engineer until his retirement from A.E. Staley Company, Decatur, Illinois and Rust/Raytheon in 2000. He lived in Missouri, Illinois, Maryland, Maine and Arkansas, but called Alabama home in 1989.

Bob was an active member of the United Church of God – Birmingham, and an avid softball player for Russ Arthur Senior Softball Association for the past 10 years.

Surviving are Bob's wife of 56 years, Lavonne Eckoff Schnell; children, Tara Schnell Horst (Kent Horst) of Arlington, Texas, Marika Schnell Zacharias (Robert Zacharias) of Prince George, BC, Canada, and John Robert "Jack" Schnell (Marianne Schnell) of Plano, Texas; four grandchildren, Sophia Horst, Devin Peters, Garrett Peters and Corinne Schnell; and three step-granddaughters, Ashley, Courtney and Ariel Zacharias.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, John and Nona Schnell, and one grandson, Rutger Stanley Horst.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The American Heart Association.