Christopher Hill Schneidau

A lifelong New Orleanian, Chris graduated from De La Salle High School. He attended Southeastern Louisiana University and graduated from the National River Academy in Helena, Arkansas. Upon graduation, he was employed by Canal Barge for twelve years rising from deckhand to riverboat pilot.

His interest in life on the water led him to a career change where he became employed by the Aquarium of the Americas. It was here that he served as a naturalist/educator training aquarium volunteers and educating visitors on the wide range of aquatic animals and reptiles. On behalf of the aquarium, he was one of the first participants in a field project gathering data and reporting sightings of stranded sea turtles along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. At a later date, the aquarium sent him to Mexico to collect more information about the care, treatment, and protection of endangered sea turtles.

Years later, Chris chose to work for himself. He pursued a license in horticulture, and as an independent contractor, he formed his own company, Green Knees. He took special care and interest in designing gardens featuring local trees, flowers, and shrubs.

Chris was a member of many organizations, some of which included the Southern Yacht Club, the Crosby Arboretum, Friends of Music and Musaica. He was also a parishioner of Mater Dolorosa Church.

Chris enjoyed making stained glass, bicycling, sailing and hiking. He took great pleasure tending to his garden, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. He especially enjoyed spending holidays with his family, going out to dinner, and attending festivals and classical music concerts with his partner, Judy. He also took pleasure in relaxing in the company of his two cats

Chris was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Mardi Schneidau. He is survived by his life partner of thirty years, Judy Schwartzer; his sister, Jody Schneidau Geary (Jeff); his two nieces, Kelly Geary Gillin (Patrick) and Mallory Geary Kiser (Brooks); and his nephew, Jack Geary. He also leaves behind five grandnieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held September 26 at 1:00 P.M. at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. Visitation will begin at noon, and a reception will be held after the service at Lake Lawn.

In lieu of flowers, people may contribute to WWNO-FM, the Crosby Arboretum, Musaica, Friends of Music, Cafe Reconcile, SPCA, ARNO, the American Kidney Fund or the National Kidney Foundation.