Robert “Bob” Charles Schneider

 

Robert “Bob” Charles Schneider
Robert “Bob” Charles Schneider

Robert “Bob” Charles Schneider, 85, of Amarillo, Texas died Thursday, August 26, 2021.

Memorial services will be at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, September 4, 2021, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2525 Wimberly Rd., with Nick Garner officiating.  A reception will follow the service in the Church Library. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Bob was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 7, 1935, to Frederick and Helen Schneider. He grew up in a loving home and soon became the beloved big brother to Raymond “Ray” and Thomas “Tom” Schneider. In the summers, the family went fishing and camping in Minnesota together. Bob and his brothers worked on their Uncle G. Wood Smith’s farm, driving tractors, cutting hay, building ponds, and other farm activities. G. Wood Smith had been an Admiral in the Navy and was a pivotal mentor to Bob, instilling in him a strong work ethic at a young age. He had a paper route as a young boy and at age 14, a job at the local grocery store.

Bob attended Woodward Elementary School, and Cleveland High School in St. Louis, Missouri where he quickly proved to be an outstanding leader. He played Varsity Football, earning two letters. He participated on the Wrestling Team, and in the A Capella Choir. He served as the Senior Class President, and the Student Council Sergeant-at-Arms, graduating in June of 1953.

Bob joined the army, serving two years at Fairchild Airforce Base near Spokane, Washington. He worked on the Nike Missile System, which was one of the first ground-to-air interceptors developed by the US Military. Bob attended the University of Missouri, in Columbia where he joined the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and earned his BS in Business, graduating in 1959.

After graduation, Bob moved to Chicago to work for Union Carbide. His sales territory included Amarillo, Texas where he became friends with businessman Sam Marmaduke, with whom he stayed in touch over the years.  Eventually, he joined a start-up company and moved to Los Angeles, California. It was there that his life would change forever when he met Patricia Anne Hartsough in Marina Del Rey. They got to know each other taking long walks on the beach holding hands. During this time, his friend Sam came to visit and offered Bob a position with his wholesale music distribution company, Western Merchandisers. This sparked Bob to invite Patty to come with him and marriage became part of the plan. They were married on July 3, 1971, in Marin County, California and the couple moved right away to Houston, Texas. In 1976 Bob and Patty welcomed a daughter, Laurie Anne. That same year, they moved to Amarillo, Texas and in 1978 they welcomed a second daughter, Molly Catherine.

Bob served as the Executive Vice President for Western Merchandisers which later became Anderson Merchandisers. He served many years as Chairman of the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM), traveling around the country to attend meetings. He received numerous local and national awards and was widely appreciated for his leadership in the music industry. Bob retired from Anderson in 2010 ending a fulfilling and successful career.

He was a generous and respected member of his community, serving as Chairman or member of many boards including The Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, Baptist Saint Anthony’s (BSA), The Amarillo Symphony, and The Lone Star Ballet. He mentored and encouraged many aspiring young people to seek and achieve their academic and career goals.

Bob loved spending time traveling with his family and they spent much time in the mountains skiing, fishing, hiking, biking, and attending plays and concerts. They visited Europe and China and sailed in the Caribbean and Tahiti. Bob and Patty also enjoyed many trips biking internationally with good friends. He was affectionately known as “Bobby Sue Thelma Louise Chuck”, and loved being “Grampy” to his nine grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his father Frederick Charles Schneider and his mother Helen Catherine Wiedenkeller. He is survived by his wife, Patricia “Patty” Schneider; daughters, Laurie Anne Crites and husband Shane of San Antonio, TX, and Molly Catherine Nemeth and husband Luke of Murfreesboro, TN; brothers, Raymond Schneider and wife Peggy, Thomas Schneider and wife Maureen; grandchildren, Rachel, Benjamin, Seth, Asher, and Eli Crites, Lillian, Lucas, Eva, and Willa Nemeth; nephews, Todd Schneider and wife Lauren, Ryan Schneider, Matthew Schneider and wife Jamie, Mark Schneider and wife Katie; great-nephews, Grant, Nicholas, Charlie, and Finnley Schneider; great-niece Karson Schneider.

The family would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to Vanessa Gutierrez, Esther Ballin, the BSA Hospice nurses, and the incredible staff and nurses at The Sycamore at Park Place Memory Care for the kind and loving care they provided Bob.

The family suggests memorials be made to The Amarillo Symphony Young Artist Project. https://amarillosymphony.org/symphony-guild/young-artist-project/

11 Replies to “Robert “Bob” Charles Schneider”

  1. Patty, Laurie, Molly and family –

    I was so saddened to hear of Bob’s passing. I have so many fond memories of good times with the Schneiders and Bob always made everyone feel so at home. He was always interested in hearing about how things were going and really listened. He was warm with his heart and quick with a smile. He will be missed. Love to you all!

  2. Patty,
    Sorry for you loss. May God comfort you, give you strength and a peaceful mind during this difficult time. Praying God surrounds you with his perfect peace and comfort. Believe and know you are never alone. God is always listening to your prayers. So cast your cares to him. Trust in the Lord!
    It might seem stormy now, but things will get better because it can’t rain forever.
    I admired and always enjoyed seeing you all together witnessing how kind and supportive you were to each other. He was a kind person.
    Praying for you and family.
    With love,
    Pat Mathis

  3. Bob was such a great person! I remember when I was little and would go play around in the warehouse he was always kind and patient. Molly and Laurie, you’re in my prayers. Fly high, Bob.

  4. We have had the honor and privilege to meet and get to know Mr. and Mrs. Schneider through their daughter, Laurie Crites. It was apparent he was a wonderful Father and Grandfather to my sweet dear friends, his daughters, Laurie and Molly and their families. It was so fun to hear about all the wonderful adventures in life he and his wife had with their family. It was apparent that family has always been a priority; and the stories were so fun and inspirational. Hearing those stories and learning about the successes and accomplishments in his life, inspired and motivated me to want to do more and dream bigger. The example and legacy he set with his family has pushed me to want to do the same for our family. You raised 2 beautiful daughters that has caused a ripple effect into our lives. Thank you. You will be missed Mr. Schneider.

    Our love and deepest condolences. The Lord is embracing and holding your family during this time.

    With love,
    The Plante Family (Daniel, Rebecca, Julia, Eva, Sophia and Emma)

  5. I am far away and will miss attending the services for our friend Bob Schneider.
    My heart will especially be with my dear Patty at this meaningful time.
    The bus drove alongside the river Seine today. A single dark board standing there had the name “Bob” chalked on it. Yes, I thought. I am thinking of you. Judy

  6. Patty, I am so sorry. Bob was very kind to me when I was at the newspaper. He made my job much easier. Deepest sympathy to you.

  7. I have many fine memories working for and with Bob.
    My heart-felt condolences to the Schneider and Western Merchandisers family.

  8. Wow, I am shocked by this sad news! Bob was an incredible man! I have many fond memories of Bob during my time at Anderson Merchandisers, he was quite the character! He will be greatly missed! My condolences to the family. May God give you peace during this difficult time.

  9. Bob may you Rest In Peace my friend. You hired me in 1994 at Western Merchandisers and then for the next 21 years at Anderson Merchandisers. You could be tough but never a doubt of the respect you showed me. Nancy and I appreciated you and Patti more than we could ever express.

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