Donald J. Schneider

1935 - 2012

Donald J. Schneider, 76, Green Bay, died Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, in De Pere, with his family by his side following a lengthy and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. Born in Fond du Lac, Wis., on Oct. 19, 1935, to Al "AJ" and Agnes (Halfmann) Schneider, he was born the same year his father sold the family car to buy his first truck — a simple purchase that laid the groundwork for what would become, under Don's leadership, one of the most successful, recognizable, and respected transportation and logistics companies in North America, Schneider National.

Don's deep and lasting commitment to his Catholic faith was first instilled by his parents and reinforced throughout his education. He attended Cathedral Grade School, Catholic Central High School and graduated from St. Norbert College with a degree in business in 1957. He married Patricia "Pat" O'Brien at St. Patrick's Church in Green Bay in 1957.

Following a 13-month tour of duty in Korea, with the U.S. Army, Schneider enrolled in graduate school at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Upon earning his master's degree, Don and Pat returned to Green Bay in 1961 and he joined his father's trucking company, Schneider Transport & Storage, as a manager. He also taught finance at his alma mater, St. Norbert College, during this time. In 1976, Don assumed leadership of the company and served as president and CEO until 2002 and Chairman Emeritus until his death.

During the time Don led the organization bearing his family's name, the company grew, survived and thrived throughout some of the modern trucking industry's greatest challenges. He had an unwavering belief that with innovation, hard work and the commitment to excellence of associates, anything was possible. Through the years, Don was responsible for creating thousands of jobs and providing a livelihood for many — a legacy that lives on today.

A humble man, he was known simply as "Don" to Schneider Nationals's associates and was just as likely as they were to wear blue jeans, a denim shirt and cowboy boots to work.

Don shared his time and talents with a wide range of academic, industry, business and community organizations. He served as the chairman of the Business Advisory Committee for Northwestern University's Transportation Center, was a member of the Advisory Board for the Kellogg School of Management, was a director on the Federal Reserve Board in Chicago and served on the Boards of Directors at Fort Howard Paper Company and Franklin Electric. He also was a member of the Board and Executive Committee of the Green Bay Packers and of the Board of Trustees of St. Norbert College.

Don believed in leaving things better than he found them. In 1982, he created the company's charitable arm, the Schneider National Foundation. The Foundation has donated millions of dollars and thousands of volunteer hours to charities in need since its founding. Don also chaired the Capital Campaign for Notre Dame Acedemy, the annual campaign for United Way of Brown County and was chairman of the Catholic High School Foundation. The Schneider Family provided the lead gift for the St. Norbert Athletic Stadium, the Donald J. Schneider Outdoor Athletic Complex, in 2008.

Don is survived by his wife of 54 years, Pat, Green Bay; and his five children, Mary (Mark) DePrey, Green Bay; Therese (Mark) Koller, Eden Prairie, Minn.; Thomas Schneider, Fish Creek; Kathleen (James) Zimmermann, Green Bay; and Paul (Nicole) Schneider, De Pere; by 13 grandchildren including Patricia (Lee) Adams, Christopher DePrey, Megan DePrey, Kristin Koller, Sarah Koller, Michael Koller, Andrew Zimmermann, Elizabeth Zimmermann, Lindsay Zimmermann, Molly Schneider, William Schneider, Alan Schneider and Samuel Schneider; two great-grandchildren, Emma and Eli Adams; and 18,222 members of his Schneider National family around the world. He is further survived by four brothers and a sister, David (Barbara) Schneider, Green Bay; Paul (Brenda) Schneider, Egg Harbor; James (Debbie) Schneider, Green Bay; John (Donna) Schneider, Berkeley, Calif.; and Kathleen Schneider, Rensenburg, N.Y.; and three brothers-in-law, Rev. Dr. Charles (Elvy) O'Brien, Rev. John O'Brien, and Dr. Michael (Sally) O'Brien; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Agnes Schneider; by his father and mother-in-law, Dr. Irwin and Margaret O'Brien; and his brother-in-law, Father Christian (Thomas) O'Brien, O. Praem.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, from 4 p.m to 8 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home (formerly Schauer-Schumacher Funeral Home), 340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay. Visitation will continue on Wednesday morning at Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Hilltop Dr., Green Bay from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at the church at 11 a.m. with Bishop Robert Morneau officiating. Entombment will be in Allouez Chapel Mausoleum.

Current and past Schneider National office, shop and driver associates, industry friends and community leaders are encouraged to only attend a separate Celebration of Life event to be held on Feb. 15, 2012, at 6 p.m. at the Walter Theatre at St. Norbert's College. Additional information will be posted on the Company's website, www.schneider.com. To share thoughts, memories or condolences, please visit www.schneider.com or www.NewcomerGreenBay.com

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations can be made to the NEW Community Shelter or to St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter in Don's name.

A special thank you to the staffs of Rennes Health Care and Unity Hospice for their wonderful compassion and care over the years.