Charles William Schneider passed away on Jan. 20, 2018, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
Charley was born on Sept. 26, 1934, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Elizabeth Hood Schneider and Otto Aly Schneider, the first of three children. The family lived in Tujunga, Calif., until 1945, when Otto brought the family to Alaska and settled in Anchorage. Charley graduated from Anchorage High School in 1953, and served the military at Fort Richardson in the fire department. After his service, he continued his firefighting career with the Anchorage Fire Department, serving for 35 years as a firefighter in Alaska.
He was an explorer at heart: traveling Alaska in his small plane, to every U.S. state in his motorhome, and the airwaves as a ham radio operator. He enjoyed square dancing, dogs, ice cream and, later in life, zip lining. His sense of humor and adventurous spirit will be dearly missed.
Charley is preceded in death by his parents, Beth and Otto Schneider.
He is survived by his sister, Kit Young of Wasilla, Alaska; brother, James Schneider of Fairbanks, Alaska; son, William Schneider of Anchorage; grandchildren, Charles Schneider of Petaluma, Calif., and Alex Schneider of Reno, Nev.; great-grandchildren Callum and Rhys Schneider of Petaluma, Calif.; and his longtime partner, Denise Schmidt of Anchorage.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to Anchorage Fire Department Museum would be appreciated.
Private services will be held.
Arrangements were with Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel.

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

Published by Anchorage Daily News on Jan. 24, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Schneider

10 Entries

February 6, 2018

We will miss him. Our condolences to Denise and the rest of his family. I'm sure he's dancing in Heaven.

Carl & Linda Vernon

Dan Tucker

January 30, 2018

Charley Schneider was a legend in my mind. He was absolutely one of the coolest men I've ever been around when working on a fire. And I had the honor and pleasure of working with Charley for a few years on fires when he was at AFD. I'll never forget when I was his driver on Truck 3, probably back in 1974 or so, when I'd literally run to the truck, pull my 'turnouts' on as quickly as I possibly could and hop up into the drivers seat - just to find Charley, cool as a cucumber, fully 'turned out,' asking me if I knew where we were going. Charley had sauntered over, done the same task of putting on his turnouts - and booty-socks - and beat me every time.
And we 'shared' the newspaper cryptoquotes. Charley was instrumental in helping me to learn how to do them but there was only one paper in the station - so I got the paper, made a hand-written copy of the 'cryp' and make sure Charley had his untouched original to work with. I still do them every day and think of Charley as I do them.
A mentor, teacher, hard-worker, leader, friend and icon, Charley will never be forgotten.
Though he surely went 'up' instead of down, had he gone down he would be standing at the gates of hell, coolly surveying the fire and...come up with a working plan to put it out.

Mike and Karen Rheinschmidt

January 26, 2018

We always enjoyed Square and Round Dancing Lessons with Charley and Denise. We have visited with him on several occasion at the Pioneer Home ice cream socials. Really enjoyed those visits. our sympathy to his family and friends.

Art Braendel

January 26, 2018

Charlie was one of my favorite peeps on the department! Always calm and calculated with great one liners on location. "Looks like plenty of fire for everyone." I will miss you my friend but glad you are at rest! Well done!

J T

January 26, 2018

My condolences to the family. Only God our grand creator can give relief at this time (READ) Hosea:13:14

John Kiewik

January 26, 2018

Charlie was a legend on the Anchorage Fire Department. Cool and calm, he was a true role model for those on the department. When I drove for him on Truck 3 it was always fun because of his professional demeanor and uncanny ability to always be the first one on the truck! My condolences to his family and friends. Rest easy Charlie.

Gary Bullock

January 25, 2018

Charlie's photo shows his true essence. I am honored to have known him and worked with him over the years at Anchorage Fire Department. He was a fine mentor for scores of firefighters, and a true friend to so many of us. He will be missed.

Dutch and Carol Cook

January 24, 2018

We are so sorry to hear of Charley passing, our sincere condolences to his Family and many Friends.

January 24, 2018

My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends during this difficult time. I hope that the promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 can bring comfort. Knowing that there is a hope for the ones we have lost in death can be so reassuring.

January 23, 2018

i'm so sorry to hear that he has passed away.

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