Richard A. Schneider, 81, passed away January 4, 2006 at Kadlec Medical Center. A wonderfully caring and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he is survived by his wife of 58 years, Anne Margaret Lenihan Schneider, and their ten children—Mary Richard Wahlgren, Joseph Shyla Schneider, Patricia Mark Golding, Susan Michael Johnson, Barbara Schneider, John Anne Schneider, Betty Kyle Cunningham, Carole Christopher Biencourt, Theresa Lincoln Clark, and Julie David Reed—and 32 grandchildren.

Richard was born in Seattle, WA on March 5, 1924 to John and Sarah Kettering Schneider, and is preceded in death by them and his oldest sister, Sister Mary Ann Schneider. He is survived by brothers John and Robert and sister Helen Best. He opted for early graduation from North Kitsap High in December 1941 and served as an officer and a test pilot in the US Marines, serving in the South Pacific during WWII. He attended Gonzaga University and then earned his undergraduate degree from Seattle University. He later earned a masters degree from the University of Idaho.

He worked for General Electric, Battelle Northwest, Exxon Nuclear, and Siemens Corporation as a nuclear materials management and safeguards specialist. During many of those years, he served on Senate subcommittees drafting the SALT agreements, and worked with international safeguards experts to assure the safe handling and transportation of nuclear fuels.  He was named Senior Fellow of the Nuclear Materials Management Association.

Richard was also an active member of Christ the King Parish in Richland, serving at various times as a member if St. Vincent DePaul, the Knights of Columbus, President of CCD Education, chair of Catholic Families and Children’s Services, a lector, and a Eucharistic minister.

He will be remembered for his deep devotion to those things he held sacred, including his wife, family, and church, his gentleness, and his occasional biting wit. He will also be remembered for the long hours of math instruction he provided by the side of his green rocker, for innumerable trips with grandchildren on the front of his bicycle, and countless hours spent reading them the catalog in that same green rocker.

The rosary is scheduled for Friday, January 6, at 7PM at Christ the King Catholic Church. The funeral mass is scheduled for Saturday, January 7 at 11AM at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1126 Long Avenue Richland.  In lieu of flowers please send donations to Catholic Family and Child Services at 2139 Van Giesen St. or Christ the King School at 1126 Long Avenue.