Roy Harris Schnauss MD

Roy Harris Schnauss, M.D., 83, of Jacksonville, FL passed away at home on November 26 th, 2023 surrounded by his adoring wife and children, following a brief illness. He was born January 31, 1940 at St. Luke's Hospital in the Springfield area of Jacksonville. Dr. Schnauss, a Jacksonville native, followed in the footsteps of many generations of physicians in his family starting with his
great-grandfather; his grandfather, Friedrich Wilhelm Schnauss, a general practitioner; his father, Fauntleroy Harris Schnauss, also a general practitioner and his uncle, William Riley Schnauss, a general practitioner. He graduated from The Bolles School as Salutatorian. Then he went on to attend Emory University for his undergraduate and medical school, again following in his grandfather's footsteps as a legacy of Emory Medical School. Dr. Schnauss interned at University Hospital, now Shands Jacksonville, and then spent two years in the Navy as a General Medical Officer where his tour included a year in Danang, Vietnam where he served as the doctor of 3 ships of soldiers. Following his service in the Navy, Dr. Schnauss returned to Jacksonville and spent a year in practice with his father before returning to Emory for his residency in Opthamology, a field where he could combine medicine and surgery. He then returned to Jacksonville where he opened his Ophthalmology practice in the same building where his father practiced for many years. He was on staff at St. Vincent's Medical Center since 1972, was Chief of Ophthalmology at St. Luke's Hospital and Chief of Ophthalmology at Riverside Hospital. He would always say, "I love my job and thoroughly enjoy my patients."
Keeping medicine in the family extended to the women as well. Roy's mother, Jewell Wiggins Schnauss, had an R.N. from St. Luke's School of Nursing in Jacksonville. And he met his future wife, Melody Baker, at Emory University,
where she was the head nurse of the Department of Ophthalmology while Roy was in his residency. In addition to his work as a physician, Dr. Schnauss worked tirelessly, alongside Congressman Charlie Bennet to preserve
and restore Old St. Luke's Hospital, serving as the president of the Old St. Luke's Restoration Committee. Roy even went as far as to donate a 1934 Rolls Royce for a raffle to raise money for the preservation. "Restoration of old buildings is something that I enjoy." When there was interest in restoring the original St. Luke's facility for its historical value, that was a good fit for me." "I'm pleased with what we started there." he said. Dr. Schnauss also enjoyed gardening, a hobby that gave him the opportunity to share plants with churches and seasonal vegetables with colleagues and patients. Later in his career he purchased a farm off of Blanding Boulevard where he could have a large vegetable garden and grow as many plants as he wanted. He loved growing Angel Trumpets and named his farm, Angel Trumpet Farms. To the end he grew and gave away many Angel Trumpets, much to his delight. He always said he was fortunate to live and work in his hometown and to continue the legacy his father left him as a physician.
He was a devoted member of Ye Mystic Revellers since 1972, serving as an Usher in his later years. He was a member of the Rolls Royce Owners Club since 1972. Dr. Schnauss was very proud of his German heritage and his
Lutheran faith. The Schnauss family originally came from Coburg, Germany, where his ancestors had an apothecary and assisted Martin Luther, father of the Protestant Reformation, in translating the Latin Bible into the native German tongue. Dr. Schnauss was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church on McDuff Avenue and was a devout member for his whole life.
Another of his beloved hobbies, when not peering into the eyes of his Jacksonville patients, was collecting antique automobiles, including his prized 1936 Maybach, which was Rommel's parade car in North Africa during World War II, along with an extensive collection of Rolls Royce's and Chrysler Imperials. "One of the first cars I purchased was a 1932 Rolls Royce during my residency in Atlanta. I enjoyed driving it around town with Melody," he said.
One of his favorite places was his lake house at Kingsley Lake. He grew up on the lake with his parents and later purchased his own home there next to his family's property. He spent most weekends there with his family during the
summer and was always either working in his yard or swimming in the lake.
Roy retired in 2015 after a long, successful career as an ophthalmologist, leaving behind many patients who miss him greatly to this day.
When he was 10, Roy's family built a house in Ortega Forest on the only double lot, overlooking the Ortega River. His father paid to have light posts installed - $25 each - so he could have a telephone in order for the hospital to reach him.
"It was the fourth house built in Ortega Forest and we are the oldest original family still here," he said. "Back then, it was mostly woods." Roy lived a long, joy filled life, surrounded by his family that adored him. He took his family on many wonderful trips, the most notable to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Italy, Germany, with a
special trip to Coburg Germany and France. Additionally, he traveled extensively within the United States."As a young man, he sailed on the Queen Mary with his parents and siblings on a month-long dream European vacation. He spoke of that many times." He was so knowledgeable about all things to do with history. His family laughs and tells of all of the times they would be on trips and would be listening to Roy tell the history and significance of the place they were visiting, only to turn around and discover a group of people listening intently to him as if he were a tour guide. In 2005 Roy's daughter, Katherine Schnauss Naugle married Cameron Naugle. The reception was held at Roy and melody's home and was a true dream wedding with large tents in the front and back of the home, live music and much southern gourmet food. It was the event of a lifetime and was written up extensively in Jacksonville Magazine. It was a true southern spectacular wedding for his beloved daughter. Then in 2009 his first grandchild, Abigail Colene Schnauss Naugle was born, followed by Logan Cameron Naugle in 2012. They were both the true joys of his life after they were born and he
loved tasking trips with them and just spending time with them. They brought him such great joy. Roy was also a true animal lover and is now in heaven with his beloved dogs as we speak. During his life his family and even his animals adored him. He will be missed beyond measure and will always be loved eternally.
Dr. Schnauss was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Fauntleroy Harris Schnauss, M.D. and Jewell Wiggins Schnauss, along with his brother, John W. Schnauss. He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Melody Baker Schnauss, son Roy H. Schnauss, III, Jacksonville, FL, and Katherine Schnauss Naugle (Cameron), Jacksonville, FL. brother Frederick (Fritz) W. Schnauss of Jacksonville, FL, and his sister-in-law, Jeanette D. Schnauss wife of the late John W. Schnauss. He was also survived by his two grandchildren, Logan Cameron Naugle and Abigail Colene Naugle, the complete joys and lights of his life, along with nieces and nephews Janet Schnauss of Jacksonville, FL, John R. Schnauss (Laney), Atlanta, GA, Michelle Holman (John), Statesville, North Carolina, Natalie Holman (Cary) and Elizabeth Gardner (Josh).