Frederick Schneider

After a protracted struggle with respiratory and other ailments, Fred Schneider, 75, died on Tuesday, 3 March 2020, at Lakeland Hospital in Niles, the same hospital where he was born (then known as Pawating Hospital) on 17 May 1944. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Helen Schneider, his brother Terry Schneider, and his sister Rosalie Ann Dill. He is survived by his brother Michael and several more distant relatives.

Fred graduated from Niles High School in 1962 and then attended Michigan State. While at MSU, Fred took a year off to live in California where he formed a great affection for the Bay Area, returning there for a while after graduating from Michigan State. He received a degree in hotel and restaurant management from MSU and spent most of his working career as a cook in various restaurants and institutions.

Although Fred never married, he had many life-long friends, some dating back to 1949, with whom he stayed in contact despite being long distances apart. Fred was a keen student of politics and current affairs, offering sharp insights and strong opinions on many issues of the day. He loved music, rock, pop, and jazz, especially that from the sixties and seventies.

During his final years, Fred had to deal with a variety of ailments that together reduced his mobility, finally to the point of requiring assistance and a walker to get around. The burden of these problems were greatly reduced by the generous help and companionship he received from his long time friend, Iris Geiger.

Online condolences, memories and stories may be shared with Fred’s friends and family at www.halbritterwickens.com