Dr. Joachim "Joe" H.E. Schnelle

Dr. Joachim “Joe” H.E. Schnelle, 81, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025, surrounded by his loving wife, daughters, and family.

Born in Meiningen, Germany, on January 31, 1944, Joe was raised in West Berlin. His lifelong passion for medicine and science led him to earn a Doctor of Medicine degree, Magna Cum Laude, and a Ph.D. in Neurophysiology from the Free University of Berlin. In 1971, he came to Wichita as an exchange student for an internship at St. Joseph Hospital, later completing his Family Practice Residency there. He began his solo medical practice in Wichita in 1982, where he served patients with compassion and dedication until his retirement in 2010. Joe was deeply respected by his peers and beloved by his patients.

On May 18, 1983, Joe married Marjorie Werner, a nurse he met during his residency. Together, they built a life centered on family, medicine, and community service. Joe’s commitment to healthcare extended beyond his practice—he held a strong belief in serving others and improving lives.

Outside of medicine, Joe was a man of many talents and interests. A skilled private pilot and licensed Aviation Medical Examiner, he also loved classical music and played the piano with grace. He was an avid cook, hosting countless meals and gatherings for family and friends. His hobbies included skiing in the Alps of Switzerland, Italy and the Rocky Mountains, gymnastics, and exploring history and science. After retirement, Joe continued his intellectual pursuits, studying medicine and the mysteries of the universe. Above all, he cherished time with his family and was immensely proud of his daughters and grandchildren.

Joe is survived by his devoted wife, Marjorie Schnelle; daughters, Monica Schnelle and Michelle Masood; sons-in-law, Paul Street and Tariq Masood; grandchildren, Sofia Marjannah Masood and John Warren Street; brother, Dr. Eberhard Schnelle and his wife Eva Marie; as well as nieces, Katrin Wieschemeyer and Britta Knortz. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernst Fritz Schnelle and Anne Marie Dora Ingeborg Berghausen.

A Celebration of Life Service for Joe will be held at 2:00PM, Monday, December 22, 2025, with visitation one hour prior, at Lakeview Funeral Home, 12100 East 13th Street North, Wichita, Kansas 67206.

For those unable to attend Dr. Joachim's service in person, the service will be livestreamed at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c25125193889377

In lieu of flowers, donations honoring Joe’s lifelong dedication to caring for others, may be made to Guadalupe Clinic, Wichita, Kansas at https://www.guadalupeclinic.org/give