Robert John Schnieders

Robert John Schnieders, known as "Jack" to friends and family, passed away on December 11, 2019, at his home in Independence, Missouri at the age of 89, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. Jack was born on March 31, 1930, in Jefferson City, Missouri, the fourth of eight children to Robert Frank and Irma Craig Schnieders. Jack was raised on a small farm in the Missouri river bottoms, where he learned the value of family and hard work. He graduated from St. Peters High School in Jefferson City in 1948 and went to Central Missouri State College on a football scholarship. In the spring of 1949, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he spent a year aboard ship, traveling the world. In the fall of 1950, he returned to CMSC and lettered in football three times before graduating with a B.A. in English Education in 1953. It was after his return from the Navy that he met his roommate's younger sister, Shirley Lobb, whom he married on May 23, 1953. He taught and coached football from 1953 to 1966, first at Mountain View High School, then at Princeton High School and finally for 10 seasons at Helias High School in Jefferson City. As the first coach in Helias history, Jack found tremendous success, winning 33 consecutive games at one point. He was named the National Prep Football Coach of the Year in 1960. In the spring of 1966, he retired from coaching and accepted the position of Superintendent of Schools of the newly formed Blair Oaks School District outside of Jefferson City. He completed his Master's Degree at CSMC and later his Specialist in Education Administration from the University of Missouri. During his 10 years at the helm of Blair Oaks School District he oversaw the construction of the new elementary school and the start of the football program. He did not completely give up coaching, but shifted his focus to baseball in the summers, leading the Jefferson City Babe Ruth program to two National Tournament appearances in the 1970s. In 1976, Jack moved his family to Sweet Springs, Missouri and accepted the job as Superintendent of Sweet Springs School District, a position he held until his retirement in May 1991. Jack was inducted into the Helias High School Hall of Fame in 2015. In retirement, Jack could be usually found hunting quail, pheasant, or mushrooms, or on a golf course, unless one of his grandkids had a ball game to attend. He loved the outdoors and took every opportunity to get outside and exercise. An avid reader when he was inside, he would usually be immersed in a good book or just spending time with his ever growing family. Always the sports enthusiast, Jack rarely missed the chance to watch a Chiefs, Royals, Notre Dame or Mizzou game. Jack leaves behind Shirley, his loving wife of 66 years and seven children: Mary Lynn (Mike) Toalson of Richmond, Virginia; Jackie (Chuck) Berendzen of Eugene, Missouri; Leslie (Rusty) Beckham of O'Fallon, Missouri; Vicki (Tod) Heermann of Oak Grove, Missouri; Connie (John) Dohrman of Sweet Springs, Missouri; Bob (Amy) Schnieders of Oak Grove, Missouri and Cindy (Matt) Perry of Independence, Missouri. He also is survived by 19 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Helen Cook, Mitzi Linsenbart and Shirley Andrews and his brother, Donnie (Ruth Ann) Schnieders and his brother-in-law, Bob (Betty) Lobb and 47 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Edgar and Stanley; and his sister Evelyn. Services will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2019, beginning with a visitation from 9:30 to 11:15 at Campbell Funeral Home in Sweet Springs, Missouri, followed by a funeral mass at Holy Family Catholic Church in Sweet Springs at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be at the Fairview Cemetery in Sweet Springs. In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorial to the Robert J. Schnieders Honorary Scholarship Fund. This Scholarship is available to students graduating from Helias, Blair Oaks, or Sweet Springs High School. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com