Richard Schneider

Richard ÒDickÓ Anthony Schneider, 81, of Victorville, went home to be with his Lord Jesus, and now has a heavenly birthday on April 19, 2006. His funeral service was held April 21 at Zion Lutheran Church, which was the 60th wedding anniversary for Dick and his beloved wife, Ginny. Dick was born on May 16, 1924, in St. Peters, Mo., to Anthony and Matilda Schneider. He grew up in the St. Louis area and after graduating from Normandy High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Dick proudly and honorably served his country during World War II as a fire controlman on the destroyer the USS Norman Scott in the Pacific arena. After the war, Dick married Virginia Lee Meyer of Farmington, Mo., on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1946. Dick was passionate about everything in his life. He was passionate about his faith, his family, his friends, his country and his profession. He attended the Missouri School of Mines and Metalurgy in Rolla, Mo., and received his degree in electrical engineering. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi for oustanding academic achievement. Later in his career, Dick obtained professional engineer certification and received an award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He was also in ÒWhoÕs Who in California.Ó Much of DickÕs career was spent with Shell Oil Company. While working for them in Evanston, Ill., Dick was granted a patent for heated product transfer. Shell moved the family to the west coast in 1968, where he developed a safety procedures manual that remains a standard in the refining industry to this day. Dick was a loyal, supportive and encouraging husband and father. He loved sports and coached two softball teams and a baseball team for this three children. While living in Florissant, Mo., he and his wife, Ginny, took up golf and even played in the snow with a red golf ball. Dick loved music and was an excellent banjo player and vocalist. He enjoyed singing barbershop and was an active member and secretary of the Hi-Country Harmonaries in Victorville. DickÕs desire to serve the Lord led him to participate on the school board financial committees and sing in the choirs of the Lutheran churches, in which he was a member throughout his married life. He was a humanitarian, humbly and passionately giving to those in need with his time, talents and financial support. Dick is survived by his loving wife, Ginny; their children, Joyce Chalmers and her husband, Scott, of Benicia, Mary Ross of The Woodlands, Texas, and Rick Schneider and his wife, Deby, of Victorville; grandchildren, Robert Ross and his wife, Deborah, of The Woodlands, Texas, James Ross of Houston, Texas, Richard Ross of Austin, Texas, Adam Chalmers and his wife, Joy, of Palo Alto, Casey Chalmers of Benicia, James Schneider, Jesselyn Kerr and her husband, Jonathan, and Jubal Schneider, all of Victorville; great-grandchildren, Emily Claire, Jacob, Charles and Jessica Ross, all of The Woodlands, Texas. We will forever be guided by the exemplary life Dick lived through the grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Victor Valley Mortuary is handling arrangements.