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Thomas SCHNELLER Obituary
Lost his life on November 6, 2022, unexpectedly in a car accident while returning home from a concert performance with his prized tympani, which he called copper kettles. Music was his love in life. He was born to George Ramsey Schneller Jr, and Carroll (Cook) Schneller on February 23, 1947, in Detroit, MI then moving to Royal Oak in 1950. He was the oldest of three children. Tom's life was about his music. His most loved positions were as principal percussionist with many orchestras, holding great fondness as Timpanist and Principal Percussionist for the Rochester MN Symphony where he was highly valued for his impeccable sound and knowledge of music. Because of the suddenness of this loss, donations can be made to Tom's children to help with funeral expenses, to Interlochen Arts Academy or to the Rochester Symphony, MN. A memorial service will be held in the spring to celebrate Tom's life. More information will be forthcoming. For more information or to share a message with the family, please visit www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas SCHNELLER
4 Entries
Ryan
November 23, 2022
So sorry to hear of Tom's passing. My sincere condolences go out to your family for your loss. (Hosea 13:14)
Rick Shabsin
November 12, 2022
As a Rochester Symphony Orchestra stage manager, I worked with Tom for almost 8 years, helping him off- and on-load his drums and other equipment, helping him get ready for our concerts. From my location in the wings during concerts, I loved watching and hearing him play his timpani, adding so much to every piece he played on. It's hard to imagine concerts without him.
Jill (Marshall) Work
November 10, 2022
Tom was my percussion teacher at Interlochen the one year I attended (and graduated) there. He was a great teacher for percussion lessons and percussion ensemble.
One of my memories of him was an assignment to compose a piece for percussion ensemble. I´d been playing music for years, but had never tried to compose. I didn´t know I could. I credit that one assignment with inspiring me to eventually compose hundreds of songs.
Another memory was during the blizzard of 78, which utterly buried Interlochen. It was my first birthday away from home and I was turning 18. Because of the blizzard, I couldn´t get cards or packages from home, and phone calls couldn´t get through. There was no opportunity to go into town to find some cake and ice cream. Tom organized a surprise birthday party for me at his cabin, inviting all the percussionists, my roommate, suite mates, and I think some of my other friends. He scrounged some ice cream (from the director of the school´s family´s freezer) and a cake from the school cafeteria. It made what could have been my saddest birthday one of my best! Thanks, Tom. Rest in peace. My condolences to his family.
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Wichmann Funeral Home - Downtown Appleton537 North Superior Street, Appleton, WI 54911
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