The family of Richard (Dick) Schneider sadly announce his passing on Monday, March 12, 2018, in Henderson, Nevada, after a short illness. He was in his 97th year.
Left to mourn are immediate family: Dorothy (Lindsay) Strain, Douglas (Kathy) Schneider, Judi (Allan) Jones, Greg Chursenoff, Carol Chursenoff; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Also surviving are brother Doug (Doreen), and sister Shirley (Jamie) McGrew; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, five siblings, first wife Christina, and second wife Mary.
Dad was born on March 28, 1920, in a small village in southwest Saskatchewan (SK). He was an outgoing, athletic boy. Although the family lived in poverty, he had happy memories of his prairie childhood. During WWII he enlisted in the RCAF hoping to fulfil his dream of becoming a pilot; however, a problem with depth perception prevented this. He transferred to the then-secret field of Radar and served in Scotland and in the North Africa and Mediterranean campaigns. He contracted tuberculosis (TB) and was discharged in 1945 to Prince Albert, SK sanatorium. His recuperation extended over two years. He later learned he had not been expected to live more than six months. During his stay dad met an X-Ray technician called Christina. He made a wisecrack and received one back. A friendship developed, which led to her frequent visits. They were married the week after his release from the sanatorium in 1948. She was his first great love.
Dad’s healthcare career began in 1949 when he trained as an electroencephalogram (EEG) technician. He and Christina settled in Regina and began a family. A few years later Dad enrolled in hospital administration courses while continuing full-time employment. His new career initiated several moves before settling in the Kenora, Ontario area in 1965 as executive director of the Kenora General Hospital. Highlights of his professional career included his involvement with the merger of the Kenora General and St. Joseph’s hospitals into the Lake of the Woods District Hospital, and membership on the Ontario Hospital Association Board of Directors. He retired in 1984.
After recovering from TB Dad recognized he had been given a second chance at life. For the rest of his years he lived every moment to the fullest. He participated in various sports throughout his life. He loved to dance. He traded the intellectual stimulation of academic studies for the challenge of bridge (attaining Life Master with American Contract Bridge League). In later years he took up wood carving and enrolled in drawing lessons. He had an ongoing love-hate relationship with the computer and recently, with his iPhone.
His social life was equally fulfilling. He was a member of numerous community organizations. He was a member of the Kenora Rotary Club, serving as President and District Governor. Other highlights included membership on the executive of the Keewatin Legion, Keewatin Masonic Lodge, and Kenora Shriners Club. A transplanted flatlander, he loved the Lake of the Woods and belonged to the Repax boat brigade that supports the LOWISA sailing races. He and Christina spent many happy days at their island camp.
In 1987 Christina passed away. Dad was lost in grief for some time. While visiting his sister in California he met a widow, Mary Chursenoff. Although neither was initially interested in a ‘relationship’ they became each other’s second great love and married in 1990. After many happy years of summering in Keewatin and wintering in California, they moved to (now) Merrill Gardens assisted living facility in 2011 in Henderson, Nevada, near Mary’s daughter Carol. After Mary’s passing in 2012 he settled into life on his own, with the closeness and support of family and his friends at Merrill Gardens.
We are thankful for Dad’s long life lived so well. He loved his family deeply and treasured the lasting friendships formed over a lifetime.
A memory service will be held in Henderson at Merrill Gardens, Henderson on March 24. A celebration of life will be held in Kenora at a later date.
If friends so wish, contributions made in Dad’s memory to the American or the Canadian Legion or to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation would be appreciated.
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, --and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of --wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air...
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew --
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
- John Magee, Jr. (WWII) fighter pilot, Royal Canadian Air Force
Online condolences may be made at www.dignitymemorial.com
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