I just learned of Mel's passing when I was in St. Louis on September 1.   I extend my deepest sympathy to the family.  I wish I could have visited with Mel one more time.  Whenever I see something that is particularly interesting, I think of sharing it with Mel.   What a fun time it was to watch him interact with our clients. Brilliant.  I learned a lot, and I am still learning as a reflect on Mel.  He is deeply missed.  Rest in peace, my friend.

Karen Zienta
Former Coworker and Forever Friend
Glendale, Arizona

Here is an excerpt from my father's incredibly moving and honest eulogy -- a reading I (Mel's daughter) contributed. 

iMel
 
A reading for Mel Schneider - by Deborah Schneider
   
Yesterday, when my sister and I went to pack up the rest of my father's belongings at his residence, Aberdeen Heights, the first thing we saw was a framed photo of him in the main hallway that the staff had displayed in honor of his memory. 
 
It's a close-up of his face -- his kind eyes wide with enthusiasm; his mouth open (not-surprisingly) in mid-conversation; his iPhone pressed to his ear.
 
It's hard to imagine a more fitting portrait of iMel -- calling, connecting, caring.
 
Come to think of it, like Apple and the Apple products my dad enjoyed using so much, he was continually striving to improve, innovate, refine -- and contribute with unrelenting energy to making others' lives easier and better.
 
When I saw him this past Thanksgiving -- very frail and needing a lot of assistance from his dear friend Marcus -- one of the first things he told me was that, despite his condition, he was still eager to contribute -- to a cause; to the world; to whomever could benefit from the gifts and generosity he had to offer. 
 
It was so striking, but not surprising, that even as he grew weaker, his desire to contribute remained strong. 
 
I will always admire the many talents he had to contribute: his intellect, curiosity, kindness, generosity, resourcefulness, good-heartedness, tenacity, sense of humor and ability to laugh at the joys, frustrations and absurdities of life. 
 
In the last few days since his passing, his family and friends, both recent and lifelong, have gone out of their way to express how much they too appreciated his gifts.
 
"What a great, sweet guy", they all begin, and then detail the many ways he selflessly tried to help them out, wanting and expecting nothing in return:  
 
Helping them professionally -- to get jobs and with career advice.
 
Contributing story ideas to the Post-Dispatch, St Louis Business Journal, and KWMU.
 
Taking his eldery aunts Alice and Sylvia out for regular dinners well into, and well beyond, their Golden Years.
 
Going to extraordinary lengths to help his young students develop their skills, confidence and love of learning.
 
Looking out for his friend Otto, and all the elderly residents at Aberdeen Heights, and offering whatever moral and practical support he could.
  
When I was in grade school and my pet chameleon, Herbie, died quite suddenly, my dad could have simply said, "Okay let's bury him in the backyard" and that would be that. 

But not iMel. 
 
Instead, my dad promptly took us to the St. Louis Zoo to consult with the head of the reptile department, discuss the possible cause of Herbie's demise, and learn whatever lessons we could so that we could improve as future pet chameleon owners. 

That's just one of so many examples of his good-hearted desire to go above and beyond, to learn something new, and to have an adventure. 
 
While there are ways he and I both wish our relationship could have been different at points, I deeply appreciate and cherish the many years, moments and memories of the fun he and I, and our family shared:
 
Hours on tennis courts and in swimming pools across St Louis
 
Regular frozen custard runs
 
Nights laughing at Johnny Carson and Carol Burnett
 
Fishing in the Forest Park lake and in the Missouri river
 
Motor home and boat outings with Gussie and Hascal
 
And endless fish-out-of-water hilarity during the year he decided to buy a farm for weekend family outings, despite our decidedly more "urban" leanings
 
But more than the many fun and often funny adventures, I appreciate my father's intense and profound love and generosity, his unparalleled and enthusiastic support for whatever my sister and I were doing, and his genuine and heartfelt concern for others.
 
I feel truly blessed, like so many others, to have learned from his example of being an advocate, being of service, being loyal, loving and kind, and always, always trying his best.   
 
I will always think of him with great love and gratitude any time I persist in getting my way with a customer service representative or CEO, go straight to the top to advocate for myself or others, or give selflessly to someone in need. 
 
And I am confident that, by now, my dad is already striving to make the great afterlife a better place for all (probably telling Steve Jobs a thing or two along the way) and channeling his enthusiasm and contributions towards new frontiers.

Dear Mel:  I will miss our almost weekly talks, the sharing of ideas, of family, and a myriad of other topics and situations.  Knowing we could talk about most anything and also feelings was a comfort to both of us.
   The recent years have been especially hard healthwise for  you.  I know how much your daughters and family meant to you and am glad they were with you in the end.  May you rest in peace.
     Barbara Jo (Cohn) Noto

Mel,
I'll remember all the good times you, me and my mom, Eileen, shared on Watkins.
Especially playing the banjo.
You were a caring man with a good heart.

Thank you for taking such good care of him

Dear Mel: I am glad  we were able to talk many times over the years about life, politics and history and shared our love of Judaism, family and concern for Israel. I know you suffered terribly over the years from the ravages of Parkinson but you always had a positive attitude about life and were especially proud of your two daughters and your brother Bill. Hopefully, you are at peace tonight and will not have to suffer any more. You were my good friend, my belovved cousin and I will miss you much. Bob Schneider, San Diego, California.

Thank you Mel, for allowing me the gift of knowing you and serving as your nurse in your hours of need. It has been a great journey.

OBITUARIO

Melvin S. Schneider

8 diciembre, 1938 – 29 mayo, 2012

Berger Memorial Chapel

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