Howard D. Schneider

Howard D. Schneider, Maj. USAF Retired, died Tuesday, April 21, 2015 in Vacaville, California.

A son of Jacob Louis Schneider and Edith Hughes Schneider, Howard was born November 14, 1928 in New Philadelphia, Ohio.

Howard was a 1946 graduate of New Philadelphia High School where he served as class president. Upon graduating high school, he enlisted in the USAAF for three years attaining rank of Staff Sargent, Administrative Specialist. During his enlistment, he participated in the Berlin Airlift in 1948-49.

He married Margaret (Meg) Alice Goodwin of East Liverpool Ohio in 1950.

He graduated Ohio State University in 1953 earning a BS in Business Administration from the College of Commerce and simultaneously received his officer’s commission and requested recall to active duty to attend Air Force Flight Training. He went on to become a career officer in the USAF and achieved the rank of Major and Aircraft Commander for the USAF until his retirement in 1971. He served in Ashiya and Tachikawa (Tokyo) Air Force Bases, Japan; Hunter AFB, Savannah, Georgia; Lubbock Texas; Randolf AFB, San Antonio, Texas; Ardmore Oklahoma; and at Lockbourne AFB, Columbus, Ohio; serving Temporary Duty at Harmon AFB in Stephenville, Newfoundland; and Merced, California.

He loved vehicles––built a ski boat, enjoyed sailing, and owned various trucks. He loved flying airplanes––especially his single-engine Mooney. After retiring from the service, he briefly owned a trucking company, a food truck, and enjoyed building HO model train sets. He really enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. with friends and family in their motorhome. Howard and Meg enjoyed ballroom dancing and were life-long supporters of the Ohio State Buckeyes Football. And he was a member of several social organizations including The Columbus Maennerchor (Men’s Chorus Society), USAF Retired Officers’ Association, American Legion Bexley Post No. 430, Columbus; and the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks (BPOE), Lancaster, Ohio Lodge No. 570.

Howard will be remembered as a true gentleman––an honest and good man, with integrity and the courage of his convictions. He was compassionate and served the needy as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels in Vacaville and helped served food to the homeless at Epiphany Episcopal Church. He had a soft spot for animals and always had dogs and cats. His two golden retrievers––Dillon and Molly––he rescued through Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary. He was a committed supporter the SPCA and the Humane Society.

Howard is survived by his daughter, Susan Schneider-Rothstein (husband, Brian).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob L. and Edith Hughes Schneider; an infant sister, Miriam, his infant son, James Louis Schneider; his brother, John (Jack) Schneider; and his loving wife of 52 years, Meg Schneider.

Graveside inurnment service will be led by Pastor Brian Flood on Saturday, June 13, 2015 11:00 am in East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia. A luncheon reception in celebration of Howard’s life will take place directly following the service in the Geib Family Center, 116 Second Street NE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.