Gary W. Schindler, son of Albert and Suzanne Schindler, 54 of Westlake Village, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010 in Thousand Oaks after two and a half years with heart failure and brain damage.

Gary was born May 1, 1956 in Kansas City, Mo., and resided in the Ventura County area for 43 years moving here from San Diego. Gary worked as a dental lab manager for 25 years of which 13 years were at Da Vinci Dental Studios. In his spare time Gary enjoyed playing bass guitar and videography, but most of all Gary loved spending time with his family and dogs.

He is survived by his wife, Josephine Schindler; daughters, Sarah Schindler (21) and Sandra Schindler (15); brother, Kevin Schindler; and sister, Kathryn Schindler.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13, at Silver Strand Beach with Pastor John Soyster of Mount Cross Lutheran Church officiating. Ashes to be scattered at sea off the coastline of Ventura County, Channel Islands Harbor.

Arrangements were made with the assistance of Griffin Family Funeral Chapels, 101 East Wilbur Road, Thousand Oaks; 230-2800.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Ventura County Star from Nov. 11 to Nov. 14, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Gary Schindler

11 Entries

Bob Sprague

November 16, 2010

I was stunned to hear of Gary's premature passing. I remeber his sense of humor, his love of music, and many entertaining idiosyncrisies. He was a unique person, and I will remember him with a smile.

John (Frank Ibison) Martin

November 13, 2010

While I hadn't seen Gary in many years, I thought about him quite a bit. We ran track together in high school, he was our sound and lighting guy for a band that I was in with Chip Charleston and a few others from school, and was the inspiration for the infamous "Sweat Hog" sessions. You will be missed but never forgotten.

Kathy Philippy Peterson

November 12, 2010

So sorry to hear of Gary's passing. Way too young. It was a privalege to know him, although I have not seen him since the 30th class reunion, he will be missed. Prayers go out to the family.
Kathy Philippy Peterson

Linda Valdez

November 12, 2010

My deepest sympathy and condolences to Gary's family. His picture reminds me so much of both Al and Suzanne. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

November 12, 2010

Deepest condolences to the family of Gary. God heals.

Teree Armogeda

David Leese

November 12, 2010

I am very sorry to hear of Gary's passing. The last time I saw him was at our 30th reunion in Camarillo. I have many fond memories of him playing in 3 diffrent church bands in Camarillo. He had an incredible work ethic (he was a perfectionist about his bass parts) but he had an incredible sense of humor. He allways had a funny line or joke to break the tension of a tense rehearsal. I remember spending hours discussing Jethro Tull, David Bowie and punk music as well as deep social and spiritual issues. He had a genuine concern and compassion for for all people. I am grateful to have known him and will miss him.

Nancy Frost

November 12, 2010

This is a very hard loss of someone who impacted so many lives. Gary, you left us a Legacy, one to be proud of. My condolences to the Schindler family.

God bless,

Nancy Deghi Frost

David Leese

November 12, 2010

The last time I saw Gary was at at our 30th reunion. It brought back so many memories of playing with him in 3 different church bands (33 AD, Sound Advice, and Emmaus). He had a great sense of humor and genuinely cared for all people. I remember long hours discussing everything from Jethro Tull,David Bowie and punk music to deep social and spiritual issues. He was a great deal of fun to work with. He always had a funny comment that would break up the tension of a rehearsal. He was also the most reliable and steadfast member, never complaining and a perfectionist when it came to his music.

I am so sorry to hear of his passing away. He was a great guy and a great friend. He will be missed.

Filomena Silva-Ornelas

November 11, 2010

To the Schindler Family,
My deepest condolences and many
prayers surrounding you.
Go Scorpions! Class of 1974

Patricia Rutledge Hartman

November 11, 2010

There are few if any words which I could string together to bring real comfort to any of Gary's family who will be feeling his loss the most. I will try instead to share with you that his friends will be missing him as well. Many of us have only had the opportunity to see Gary at weddings and such for the last several years, sadly when we move past those years of our youth the visits are reduced to so much less than you would hope for.
Please be assured he has never left out hearts or thoughts. I have many special memories of Gary from our younger years, a special time and place. Mostly I will remember him as a musician, the music he wrote, if only in jest, the music he loved, and how he tried so patiently to take his friends with him on his musical journey, to share with him his deep appreciation for some of the greatest musicians who ever graced an album cover.
And then there was his ironic humor. There was always room for an observation of even the most mundane occurrence to be turned with a simple twist of words into something , quite funny.
Thanks Gary, for being a part of my special memories, you were an adornment on the fabric of so many of the lives you touched. But more,for me, thanks for having been a friend.
My deepest condolences for your loss.

Patricia Rutledge Hartman

John Cox

November 11, 2010

I am so sorry to hear this news. Gary was a great friend of mine in High School. I always got a kick out of Gary and his "dry' cheeseburgers. We spent many a summer evening cruising in the Catalina around Camarillo. Even before the internet, Gary's collection of music was incredible. Jimmy Page on bass, numerous versions of Eric Clapton songs. I will never forget how hard Gary worked to go to the prom in an exact copy of George Harrison's white suit from the concert for Bangladesh. Gary will always be remembered by me as a great friend, a lover of fun and good times, Gary always worked hard for our bands, Hippness Is and Sunrise, carrying equipment and manning the soundboard. There is so much more I could say that time and space will allow. My condolences to Gary's family,

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