MAJ. U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.)

Major Frederick H. Schneider, Jr., USMC Retired, 73, died peacefully surrounded by his family on December 3, 2023. His long and successful career in the Marine Corps and commercial aviation took him worldwide, both in peace and war.

Major Frederick Schneider, Jr, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, at Tripler Army Hospital to Admiral Frederick H. Schneider, USN, and Marion S.D. Schneider. He graduated from Georgetown Preparatory School in 1968, attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, and graduated on June 7, 1972.

Major Schneider's dream was to fly in a military setting. He entered the United States Marine Corps, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, and was sent to Pensacola, Florida, where he graduated as a Naval Aviator. As a Lieutenant, he served with distinction during the "Fall of Saigon" by flying a Marine helicopter into Saigon to bring Vietnamese civilians out of Vietnam and onto US Naval ships to save their lives. Major Schneider transitioned into KC-130's mid-way in his career and spent his next eleven years moving Marines and valuable cargo needed for Marine Corps units worldwide.

Upon his retirement from the Marine Corps in 1992, his second career was in commercial aviation, flying CR-J's for Independence Air and Air Wisconsin. Upon retirement, Captain Schneider continued his aviation career as an instructor for Air Wisconsin.

In February 1982, Major Schneider married Major Merle Quigley, USMC, in Northern Virginia. They spent the majority of the second half of their Marine Corps careers serving in Okinawa, Japan. After retirement, they remained in Northern Virginia, working in their second careers.

During their second retirement, the Schneiders spent their time between Northern Michigan and Arlington, Virginia.

A memorial service at the Old Post Chapel on Ft. Myer will take place later, immediately followed by interment at Arlington National Cemetery. For more information and to leave condolences for Major Schneider's family, please visit:

www.murphyfuneralhomes.com

Published by The Washington Post on December 17, 2023.