Fredrick W. Schneider, affectionately known as "Fritz” (pictured at right from the 1934 Spy) died peacefully on December 7, 2008, at the Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie, surrounded by his family.
Fritz was born on September 29, 1916, in Kenosha, the son of the late Oscar and Hilda (Schuetz) Schneider. He attended local public schools, graduated from Kenosha High School in 1934 and proudly served three years in the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1939, Fritz began a distinguished career with Coopers/Jockey International that lasted for 42 years. He served Jockey in many capacities, including 6 years as Eastern Branch Manager in New York City and Lambertville, NJ. He completed his tenure with Jockey in their Kenosha Credit Department, retiring in 1983.
His 1944 marriage to Elvira Fallak of Kenosha was dissolved in 1952. From that marriage came a son, Robert.
In 1959, Fritz married Dolores Edwards Kitchin of Lambertville, N.J. She had previously been married to Donald J. Kitchin, who died in 1958.That marriage produced three children, Claire (John) Kitchin Dahl, Fay (Jeff) Kitchin Maliszewski and Donald (Elaine) Kitchin.
Fritz was dedicated to the United Methodist Church, both at Centenary United Methodist Church in Lambertville, NJ, and Immanuel United Methodist Church in Kenosha. He served the Immanuel congregation faithfully as a Sunday school teacher, Lay Leader and Trustee.
He was a proud and active member of Rotary International. He was the Secretary of the Kenosha Rotary Club for many years and served as their President from 1976-1977. He and Dolores attended numerous international Rotary conventions, both in the United States and overseas. Fritz was honored to be a Paul Harris Fellow and, in 2005, was presented with the "Service Above Self Award" by the Kenosha Rotary Club.
He was passionately committed to community service, gaining personal satisfaction supporting local charities and organizations. He enjoyed golf, coin collecting, traveling and spending quality time with his family and friends.
Fritz is survived by a loving family: his wife of 49 years, Dolores; her three children, Claire, Fay and Don, and his son, Robert. He was the adored "Opa" to Adam and Kara Dahl and Tyler and Molly Kitchin. He was "Grandpa" to Michael, Steven and John (Julie) Schneider and "Great Grandpa" to Benjamin and William Schneider. He is also survived by one brother, Richard Schneider; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Fritz was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Paul, Edith Piehl and Lillian Breitenwischer.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Fritz will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2008, at 10:30AM at Immanuel United Methodist Church (5410 Sheridan Road, Kenosha). Friends may meet with the family from 10:00AM until the time of the service at the church. At his request, his body has been donated to the Medical College of Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Immanuel United Methodist Church, the Kenosha Rotary Foundation (P.O. Box 577, Kenosha, WI 53141), or Hospice Alliance (10220 Prairie Ridge Blvd., Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158).