2008 Distinguished Civic Service Award

So we honored my Dad Thursday night in Huron as he received the Huron Chamber 2008 Distinguished Civic Service Award. The program explained the criteria for this award as "includes years of outstanding service to the community, without regard for personal or financial gain and service covering a broad range of interests." That, along with a life long dedication to God and family would be a pin pointed definition of my Father.

My brothers have already shared their thoughts on our Father, here and here. So I don't know if there is much more to add...or is there. The list of boards and organizations that my Dad has been apart of and has led, is quite long. There were times when I thought we was done and off of a board and I would find out later he was back on, in a different capacity. I don't know how he ever kept things straight from one meeting to another. The God given ability to always be switching gears, evaluating different strategies, navigating the vast political landscapes of each entity, and the ability to make and keep loyal friends along the way, is most amazing.

Growing up in this environment has provided some interesting stories along the way. In the 1970s my Dad was part of the Lions Club. For several years, I can remember a huge box of bagged candy arriving at our house for Halloween. It was a fundraiser for the organization and the members would go around door to door selling this candy. It wasn't the most exciting candy...things like taffy, hard mint suckers, specialized tootsie rolls...things old people liked. The only thing I knew the Lions Club people did was sell candy at Halloween time. The rest of the year I thought they must just sit around and talk about the candy they sold and the candy they were going to sell the next Halloween. The big box came with instructions of where Dad's area was to sell the candy. So there I was with my Dad in the car going around door to door selling candy. The great thing was there was always a bag that was "defective" and Dad would opened it up and toss a few pieces my way.

Another memory is the Huron School Board. Dad had to be elected to the board and that meant a fierce and hard fought campaign to get the job done. I remember a campaign stop, that I was at, was at the senior center. What?...why do senior citizens care about school, I thought. But there was my Dad, up there with the other candidates taking questions and slugging it out as to who was more prepared and experienced to provide the best education for the kids. I also remember a radio station was doing a promotion to have people call in and say who they were voting for. My Mom woke me up and said we need to call in to the radio and say your voting for your dad. So Mom called the station and I said in my groggy, morning voice...Vote for Lynn Schneider, because he's my Dad. I was on the radio! That was so cool. Dad won the election and brought home an orange suit coat. The school board members wore orange suit coats or at least they hung them in their closets.

One time Dad had on a Terry Tiger costume for a kids event at the bank. He was at home killing some time before the event and decided to lay on his bedroom floor and watch the news a little while. As our cat nonchalantly strolled into the bedroom, he immediately froze as he saw the 6' tiger laying on the floor. Dad gave him a ROAR and that cat shot out of that room with his tail in the air and the sound of his claws across the wood floor.

The amazing thing is all the time he had for family. Well he didn't really 'have' time for family...but he made time. Family is a very high priority. Whether it was fishing, water skiing, taking the family skiing in Colorado several years, long vacations, sporting events, or family holidays, Dad made sure we did it. He was even the pit crew for his brother-in-law, Bob's mini sprint car career. There are some great stories there too...but for another time.

As my brothers have stated in their blogs, Dad didn't seem to care what the cost was to protect family. And no, I did not like working out at Dakota Pork, even if it was only for a summer after my HS senior year. I remember coming home after the first day and complaining of how terrible it was, thinking he may let me go work somewhere else. His reaction was not to sympathetic and he said...good, when you think college is too hard, you'll remember this is where you could end up. It was a vivid lesson that came back to me a time or two as I got my engineering degree at the SD School of Mines and Technology.

And so the city of Huron finally gave our Dad a most deserving award for something we have known all along...his humble passion to serve and to work hard with integrity while putting God and family first.

Dad, Thank you for your example. Your love for God, faithfulness to mom, and dedication to us kids are lessons and values I have and will continue to put forward in my own family.

Congratulations!!

A righteous man who walks in his integrity -

How blessed are his sons after him. Prov. 20v7 NAS