Chad Andrew Schneller
1941 - 2026
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Chad Andrew Schneller, age 84, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026, in Denver, Colorado, surrounded by the family he adored. Born on September 4, 1941, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Alfred and Rose Schneller, Chad was a devoted husband, father, friend and proud "Papa Bear" to his grandchildren.
Chad was an exceptional writer and a passionate networker who generously offered his time and advice to friends. He was famous for his storytelling—often adding a little "zest" to make a story even better—as well as his legendary "Dad jokes," which he perfected decades before they became a cultural phenomenon. His vibrant energy and boisterous laugh were a fixture at every gathering, bringing joy to everyone in his presence.
Athlete, Leader, and Veteran
Chad's life was defined by a pursuit of excellence. A standout student and multi-sport athlete in high school, he went on to play linebacker and tight end for the University of Wisconsin, notably playing in the 1963 Rose Bowl. He later earned both a B.S. and an M.B.A. from San Jose State University, where he first met the love of his life, Linda.
His commitment to service began in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, where he served in the Honor Guard and helped win the 1967 All U.S. Military Baseball Championship. He later dedicated nearly a decade of service to Holy Names University, serving as the Chairman of the Board of Regents.
Professionally, Chad was an accomplished technology executive. Following a distinguished 15-year career at IBM, he served in President and CEO roles at several Silicon Valley technology companies.
Simple Joys and Pristine Standards
While his career was high-powered, Chad discovered pleasure in life's simple details during retirement. He was meticulous with everything he owned, keeping his closet, grills, and other possessions in pristine condition. He took over the household grocery shopping for his wife Linda, turning each trip into a networking event by learning the names of the employees and getting the "inside track" on the best bargains. He treated finding a deal like a sport, applying his professional negotiation skills to everything from buying a new car to getting discounts on flowers for Linda.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Chad was always current on the major college and pro sports. He became a huge Notre Dame fan after his son Cas enrolled, and never missed watching the 49ers with his daughter, Stacey. He also embraced his friends' favorite teams and had dozens of text threads with those who shared his love of sports. However, his favorite athletes to watch were his own children and grandchildren; he attended hundreds of their games over the years as their #1 fan.
The Spirit of the Islands
Hawaii held a special place in Chad's heart. During a formative year living on Oahu in 1966, he worked as a bartender and bouncer, rode a Harley, learned to fly a Cessna, and cherished nights spent with the legendary Don Ho. He would later bring his family on many unforgettable Hawaiian vacations. Per his wishes, Chad's ashes will be scattered in the Hawaiian waters he loved so much.
Family
Chad was married to the love of his life, Linda, for 55 wonderful years. Together, they lived in various cities across the East Coast before spending the majority of their lives in Los Altos, California, where they built a community of lifelong friends. They eventually moved to Denver to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Chad was dedicated to maintaining deep connections with his friends and extended family, staying in touch through calls and texts about life, sports and politics, and of course his famous email forwards—many including Dad jokes.
Chad is survived by:
His wife, Linda.
His daughter, Stacey.
His son, Cas, and daughter-in-law, Missy.
His cherished grandchildren: Jackson, Mila, Audrey, and Sabrina Schneller.
His sister, Corinne (Corky) Capstran, and brother-in-law, Jim Capstran.
His nephews: Chris, Mark, and Jeff Capstran.
Service & Remembrances
Memorial Service: The family will hold a service in the Denver area on Saturday May 30th, 2026. Please contact the family for details.
Donations: In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to The V Foundation for Cancer Research (https://www.v.org/)
Chad was an exceptional writer and a passionate networker who generously offered his time and advice to friends. He was famous for his storytelling—often adding a little "zest" to make a story even better—as well as his legendary "Dad jokes," which he perfected decades before they became a cultural phenomenon. His vibrant energy and boisterous laugh were a fixture at every gathering, bringing joy to everyone in his presence.
Athlete, Leader, and Veteran
Chad's life was defined by a pursuit of excellence. A standout student and multi-sport athlete in high school, he went on to play linebacker and tight end for the University of Wisconsin, notably playing in the 1963 Rose Bowl. He later earned both a B.S. and an M.B.A. from San Jose State University, where he first met the love of his life, Linda.
His commitment to service began in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, where he served in the Honor Guard and helped win the 1967 All U.S. Military Baseball Championship. He later dedicated nearly a decade of service to Holy Names University, serving as the Chairman of the Board of Regents.
Professionally, Chad was an accomplished technology executive. Following a distinguished 15-year career at IBM, he served in President and CEO roles at several Silicon Valley technology companies.
Simple Joys and Pristine Standards
While his career was high-powered, Chad discovered pleasure in life's simple details during retirement. He was meticulous with everything he owned, keeping his closet, grills, and other possessions in pristine condition. He took over the household grocery shopping for his wife Linda, turning each trip into a networking event by learning the names of the employees and getting the "inside track" on the best bargains. He treated finding a deal like a sport, applying his professional negotiation skills to everything from buying a new car to getting discounts on flowers for Linda.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Chad was always current on the major college and pro sports. He became a huge Notre Dame fan after his son Cas enrolled, and never missed watching the 49ers with his daughter, Stacey. He also embraced his friends' favorite teams and had dozens of text threads with those who shared his love of sports. However, his favorite athletes to watch were his own children and grandchildren; he attended hundreds of their games over the years as their #1 fan.
The Spirit of the Islands
Hawaii held a special place in Chad's heart. During a formative year living on Oahu in 1966, he worked as a bartender and bouncer, rode a Harley, learned to fly a Cessna, and cherished nights spent with the legendary Don Ho. He would later bring his family on many unforgettable Hawaiian vacations. Per his wishes, Chad's ashes will be scattered in the Hawaiian waters he loved so much.
Family
Chad was married to the love of his life, Linda, for 55 wonderful years. Together, they lived in various cities across the East Coast before spending the majority of their lives in Los Altos, California, where they built a community of lifelong friends. They eventually moved to Denver to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Chad was dedicated to maintaining deep connections with his friends and extended family, staying in touch through calls and texts about life, sports and politics, and of course his famous email forwards—many including Dad jokes.
Chad is survived by:
His wife, Linda.
His daughter, Stacey.
His son, Cas, and daughter-in-law, Missy.
His cherished grandchildren: Jackson, Mila, Audrey, and Sabrina Schneller.
His sister, Corinne (Corky) Capstran, and brother-in-law, Jim Capstran.
His nephews: Chris, Mark, and Jeff Capstran.
Service & Remembrances
Memorial Service: The family will hold a service in the Denver area on Saturday May 30th, 2026. Please contact the family for details.
Donations: In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to The V Foundation for Cancer Research (https://www.v.org/)
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Chad Andrew Schneller, please visit our flower store.
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