Lawrence “Larry” Schneider, 95, of Benton Harbor passed away at home on Saturday, May 29, 2021, surrounded by his family. Memorial services will be held at Fairplain Presbyterian Church, 210 W Napier Ave on June 19, 2021 at 10:30 am with luncheon to follow.
Larry was the oldest of six children of Lora (née Thumm) and August Schneider. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1944 and volunteered for WWII service in the U.S. Army Air Force, stationed in Texas. Honorably discharged after his father’s premature death, Larry attended Benton Harbor Junior College and Western Michigan University. He began his teaching career as a middle school math teacher and athletic coach at Fairplain Central. He met his future wife, Phyllis Moore, a home economics teacher, on Mother’s Day 1952. They married that winter and built their home on Schneider farmland overlooking the St. Joseph River while starting their family and earning Master’s degrees from Ball State University. As Larry and Phyllis raised their family, they often went on road trips, camping in a tent-camper through 44 states. A favorite family tradition was to travel with all the Schneider aunts, uncles, and cousins. They also enjoyed camping on a property at Campbell Lake near Hesperia, MI. From Fairplain, Larry moved to BHHS where he founded the driver education program, coached girl’s softball, and finished his career as the Director of Guidance. During his tenure, Larry was a committed participant in the formation and development of the local teachers’ union. Retiring in 1983, Larry and Phyllis spent winters at Palmetto Palms in Ft. Myers, Florida, and travelled widely by RV, including a trip to Alaska. Larry enjoyed tennis and golf into his late 80’s and hosted summer gatherings in Michigan for his Ft. Myers tennis buddies. Larry will be fondly remembered for his generosity of spirit, devotion to family, remarkable energy and love of garage sales.
Larry is survived by his wife of 69 years, Phyllis, and his children Scott (Michelle Singleton), Christina, and Marc (Sue Hiering); grandchildren Claire Schneider-Jacobs and Amelia DuBois; great-grandchildren Layne, Rycken, and Freya DuBois; siblings Don, Bob (Carolyn née Akright), and Ken; brother-in-law Milt Zoschke; niece and caregiver Tina Schneider; and numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom launched their adult lives from Larry and Phyllis’ basement apartment. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Betty Zoschke, brother Duane, sisters-in-law Betty (née Couch) and Loretta (née Kaiser), and son-in-law Robert “Jake” Jacobs. In lieu of flowers, donations in Larry’s honor may be made to Habitat for Humanity or the Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
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Julie Moore
Aunt Phyllis, I’m so sorry for your loss. You & Uncle Lawrence were 2 of my favorites of Gary’s relatives & I know he’ll be so greatly missed be everyone who knew him. Please give the family my love. He was such a funny sweet man!
Tracy Ikola
Mr. Schneider was my Math and Derivers Ed at BHHS. He was very kind and patient. We had big “boat” cars for Drivers Ed and can remember riding with him. I passed both my classes with him.
Tracy Ikola
BHHS
1983
Linda Blagburn Clegg
So many years ago, but when I heard his name, I remember a man who loved us. A quick smile. I’m so happy he created a wonderful life for himself and family.
Class of 1968
Roger Stevens
Scott, Chris and Marc,
I am sorry for your loss. To lose Dad is a terrible blow and moments come from nowhere that you miss him and at that time you will “need a moment”. May God grant you all grace and wisdom for all that you face ahead. Life is so short.
Brenda and Dick Spencer
You will be missed Larry. We so much enjoyed all the tennis weekends at your place, always good tennis, good food and lots of fun. You were the best tennis coach in PP.
Nancy J Harte
Condolences to the family. I enjoyed working with Larry for many years in the Guidance Dept. He was always a gentleman and had a great sense of humor. I cannot attend the memorial service since a granddaughter of mine is getting married on that day but I will be thinking of you.
Alvin Davis
I, too, worked with Larry in the guidance department at Benton Harbor High School. He was the guidance director, and he was my mentor. I must say that I learned much more from him than I ever did from any guidance course I completed at school. Duty, honor, loyalty, integrity, respect, personal courage, and selfless service were integral parts of his character, and unfortunately, these traits are not always seen in today’s world. He will truly be missed. Deborah and I send our love and condolences to Phyllis and the family.
Al Davis