Charles Schneider DDS, MD

Dr. Charles Schneider, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on April 7, 2024 at the age of 92 after a long decline due to Alzheimer's disease.

Charles was born on March 29, 1932 and grew up in Brooklyn, NY near Coney Island with his parents, Dr. Sol Schneider and Rose Schneider, and his siblings Paul and Myra. His deep love for the ocean began at a young age and endured throughout his life. Charles spent his youth fishing and boating near his home. Legend has it, in warmer months, Charles would swim to school with his backpack. While his family questioned the logistics of arriving at school wet, yet with a dry backpack, this marked the inaugural display of the superhuman feats that would come to define his life.

Charles, gifted with exceptional intellect and focus, began his academic journey at the University of Chicago. He participated in an innovative program that allowed students to skip two years of undergraduate studies upon passing a challenging exam. Charles aced the exam, demonstrating his academic prowess and determination. During his time at the university, he not only excelled academically but also showcased his athletic talents as a member of the swim team. He graduated from the University of Chicago at the age of 20 in 1952.

After spending a graduate year at the University of Chicago taking courses in biological sciences, Charles completed his graduate degree by earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from NYU College of Dentistry in 1957. Charles worked for one-year as a full-time dentist before entering medical school at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. To support his medical studies, Charles practiced what he termed "theater hours dentistry" from 6:00pm to 10:00pm on weeknights. He also had a stint as a New York City taxi driver and forever drove like he was driving a New York cab. Charles graduated from medical school in 1962 and began his Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Residency at Lenox Hill Hospital.

Charles married Jane Benford in 1960. Their sons, Tom and John, were born in 1961 and 1963 and the marriage ended when the boys were young children. During Charles's ENT residency, he single-handedly built an A frame cottage on the Connecticut coast for his boys to enjoy and maintained his theater hours dental practice.

Serendipity intervened when Dori Ellis's modeling agency sent her to Charles's dental office to have her bottom teeth capped for a national Crest toothpaste advertising campaign. Charles was adamant that her teeth were beautiful and refused to cap them. Dori and Charles were immediately captivated with each other. She lost the Crest job but won the handsome and brilliant doctor. Their connection blossomed into a profound and enduring love. Charles and Dori married in 1969, moved to Beverly Hills, California in 1970, and embarked on a journey that would span over five decades, filled with love, laughter, and support. Their daughter, Erika, was born in 1971.

In Beverly Hills, Charles established a highly successful 43-year private medical and surgical practice in Century City. Known for his ability to solve the unsolvable, on a busy day Charles treated upwards of 50 patients, with people travelling from around the world to seek his care. He was adored by his patients and saved countless lives. Beyond Charles's medical practice, he taught classes at the UCLA School of Medicine and was a volunteer physician at the Venice Family Clinic.

While Charles was happiest and most in his element when he was helping people get well, he pursued a wide array of interests and hobbies with great zest. Charles surrounded himself with music, especially jazz and classical, and he could play the piano beautifully by ear. He enjoyed working the New York Times crossword puzzle and typically had it completed in about 15 minutes, always in pen (before it was digital). Charles was a doer and rarely idle. If he wasn't fixing something around the house or running errands for his family, he was fully committed to his athletic pursuits. Charles learned to ski in his youth, taught Dori how to ski, and loved to bomb down a mountain. He religiously swam laps until shoulder surgeries nipped that passion. Charles then became a daily runner and played tennis several evenings per week until struggles with his knees and back ended the fun. Charles endured eight back surgeries over the years, including spinal fusions. He never complained and was always back in the office treating patients well before doctor's orders. Charles was an exercise fiend – he treasured his Dynavit bike and ROM Crosstrainer. Mountain biking, straight up and then flying down canyon roads and trails, and scuba diving became life-long obsessions – with all the accompanying gear. Charles and Dori enjoyed many bike trips around the world with their dear friends, fondly called the "Bike Group." After several lake boats, Charles's first ocean vessel was the 55-foot "Dori." With the first and then the second 60-foot "Dori," the family spent many fun-in-the-sun weekends moored at the Isthmus and Avalon on Santa Catalina Island. Once having her name on a boat no longer enticed Dori on board, Charles acquired the 50-foot "Erika," which was dedicated to diving and fishing. He especially adored scuba diving and blowing bubbles with the California sea lions. On a slow fishing day Charles was known to throw on his wet suit, grab a spear, and dive under the water to spearfish and collect abalone. On board he prepped and cooked fish feasts accompanied with Heineken beer or Jägermeister.

In addition to biking, fishing, boating, and scuba diving, Charles was an avid collector of fine wine and tequila, which he loved to share. While he would never admit it, sometimes he served the timeless wine past its prime.

Exceedingly handy and a lover of gadgets, Charles was always an early electronics adopter - sound systems, GPS, cameras, computers – he relished and soaked up all the newness. His home hosted a constant revolving door of cars, usually surprising Dori when a new one appeared, all of which he could take apart and put back together (in the days when cars weren't computerized). With his Jack LaLanne shoulders and broad build he could lift-up one side of a car with his superhuman strength (this was witnessed by his daughter, Erika).

Charles pursued living life to the fullest. His interests knew no bounds. At one point he owned a 40-acre jojoba and tomato farm at the Salton Sea, restaurant equipment for several LA restaurants, and rental property in Beverly Hills. While his business venture timing wasn't always great, he never worried, complained, blamed or compared himself to others. He lived in the present, didn't dwell on the past or pine for what the future might bring.

With an innate elegance, Charles was selfless. He took care of everything and everyone while making it seem effortless. A giver, easer of burdens, and healer, he was silently generous. His love and devotion to his family knew no bounds. A dedicated husband and father, he always had a twinkle in his bright blue eyes for his beloveds. A dog whisperer and Great Dane devotee, Charles and Dori were the proud parents to eight Great Danes. He could often be found with a Great Dane sitting in his lap groaning in delight at all the right rubs from Charles's magic hands.

Charles is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dori Schneider, of Rancho Mirage, California; sons from his first marriage, Tom Schneider (Noreen), of Hilliard, Ohio and John Schneider (Angie) of Coral Gables, Florida; daughter Erika Buchholtz (Chris) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; grandchildren Heather Ramsay, Alec and Nicole Schneider, and Chloe and Theo Buchholtz; step-grandchildren Elizabeth Coleman and Katherine Mrva; and step-greatgrandchild Harper Mrva.

Charles's ashes will be scattered in his cherished ocean off the coast of Southern California on June 22, 2024, in a private family ceremony aboard the aptly named yacht "The Legend." Donations may be sent to The Alzheimer's Foundation or the Catalina Island Conservancy in honor of the deceased.