Richard M. Schneer

Richard Moses Schneer, 85, a resident of Sweetbrook Nursing Home, Williamstown, died Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004. Death followed a long illness.
Born July 7, 1919, in New York City, he was the son of Jacob Bernard and Sadie (Glass) Schneer. He attended Far Rockaway High School in Queens, N.Y., the University of Virginia, from which he graduated in 1940, and Columbia University, from which he earned his D.D.S. in 1943. He then volunteered to serve his country in the Army, rising to the rank of lieutenant to India in preparation for the invasion of Japan,, what he saw produced his lifelong hatred of imperialism.
Returning to New York City in 1946, he joined and later inherited and further built his father’s dental practice. Still later, he helped establish and became editor of a professional newspaper, The Dental Times.
Dr. Schneer was a member of left wing circles in New York City, including the “Friends of India,” an organization he helped to found, and which soon found its way onto the attorney general’s list of subversive organizations.
In 1961, he moved with his family to Hancock, where he became active in the conservation movement. He fought long, hard and ultimately unavailingly, to preserve the rural character of that particular township. During the Vietnam War, he was among Berkshire County’s critics in American policies. He took particular satisfaction in advances made by the civil rights movement.
He leaves his wife of many years, Sophie, of Williamstown; a daughter, Deborah, of North Adams; a son, Jonathan, and grandsons; Benjamin and Seth, all of Decatur, Ga.
FUNERAL NOTICE -- A celebration of Richard Schneer’s life will be held Sunday afternoon, Nov. 7, 2-4:30 p.m., at the Pittsfield Unitarian Universalist Church, 175 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield. Burial will take place privately.
Arrangements are under the direction of the George M. Hopkins Funeral Home, 61-67 Spring St., Williamstown.