Don C. Schneider, former president of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists (NAD), passed away on May 23, 2019, in Texas, where he was living with Marti, his wife and partner in ministry. He was 76.
Schneider served as NAD
president for 10 years. He was elected to the office in 2000 at the
General Conference Session in Toronto, Ont. Before this, he served as Lake
Union Conference president for almost six years.
Several friends and
former colleagues shared the following words upon hearing of Schneider’s death.
“Don was ‘the Jesus man.’ There is no more eloquent statement that can be made,”
said Daniel R. Jackson, current NAD president. “He travelled throughout the NAD
and the world declaring that Jesus was his best friend. His loss will never be
equated with being forgotten. He was a ‘one of a kind’ man and leader.”
G. Alexander Bryant, NAD
executive secretary, shared that “Don Schneider’s greatest passion was to
introduce people to his best friend, Jesus. He sought to model this to his
colleagues in many ways, but one comes to mind: he routinely held block ice-cream
parties for his neighbours to show love and genuine compassion for them. I don’t
know how he managed this with his hectic travel schedule, but he did. He truly
lived what he preached. It was a pleasure to serve with him. He was my friend;
he will be missed.”
“It was a shock for
Shirley and me to hear of the passing of Don Schneider,” said G. Thomas Evans,
recently retired NAD treasurer. “I have known Don for many years and worked
with him at the NAD office for two and a half years. Don had a great memory and
was able to work effectively with committees and in meetings from his vast
knowledge. I will remember his fervent faith and his love for his friend,
Jesus. Our prayers are with Marti and the family as they morn their loss.”
Juan Prestol-Puésan, current
General Conference treasurer and former NAD treasurer, said he had the pleasure
of working with Schneider for nine years. “He was a man of impeccable integrity
and a balanced, spiritual leader who was always engaged with people and issues,”
said Prestol-Puésan.
He is survived
by Marti, daughter Carol, son Don Jr., and daughter-in-law Dorothy. A
memorial service was held on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at the Keene Seventh-day
Adventist Church in Keene, Tex.
NAD Office of Communication
To read more about former president Don Schneider’s life and legacy, visit https://www.nadadventist.org/news/don-c-schneider-friend-jesus-passes-his-rest.