David Schneider

David Schneider, 79, died September 1, 2022, at home in Rolla, Missouri. He was born July 31, 1943, in Lancaster, Wisconsin, the son of Virgil and Myrtle (Udelhoven) Schneider .

Dave graduated from Lancaster High School in 1961. He attended Wisconsin State College and Institute of Technology before joining the U.S Geological Survey, Mid-Continent Mapping Center, Rolla, Missouri, in 1963 and retired 34 years later in 1997.

His greatest adventure, at age 32, was his assignment in 1974 to direct the U.S. Mobile Satellite and Receiving Station in Antarctica, at the Australian base, Casey Station. His research project was top secret. It is now called GPS. He completed a month-long assignment in Melbourne, Australia, following his year at the pole.

He rescued three men and expensive equipment from a crevasse for which he received a silver medal from the Queen of England, the bronze ANARE (Austrailan National Research Expedition) medal, the Antarctice service medal, and the gold medal of Valor from the U.S Department of the Interior.

Schneider Peak was named in his honor. This mountain is located near Rankin Glacier on the Black Coast of Palmer Land, Antarctica. He was a true “Mountain Man.”

Dave hunted extensively, fished, and enjoyed his friends immensely. He rode his motorcycles from coast to coast, and border to border. He umpired for 30 years for the Missouri Amateur Softball Association (ASA). He was inducted into the Hall of Blue in 2020. Dave was a volunteer tax preparer for AARP for 15 years.

He is survived by his wife Virginia “Ginger” (Eichhorst) Schneider, son Jeffrey Schneider and Megan Bright ,St Louis, daughter Carolyn “Carrie” (Matt) Burns ,Columbia, MO. and Grandchildren Luke Burns, Hayden Burns, Morgan Burns, and Avelyn Burns.

In addition, he leaves brothers Lyle (Sandy) Schneider, Lancaster, WI. and Virgil Schneider and Judy Babler, Madison, WI.; sisters Marilyn Duve, Independence, MO; Patricia (Norman) Johnson, Wautoma, WI., and Cheryl Knutson, Naples, FL., also brothers-in-law Dale (Joy) Eichhorst, Houston, TX.; and Dale Carpentier, Rolla, MO. along with many nieces and nephews.

Cremation services were directed by Rolla Cremation and Memorial. A Celebration of Life will be held for Dave on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2:00 – 5:00 P.M., at Rolla Lion’s Club. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society, the MS Association, or to any other charity of choice.