[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 13, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF RICHARD SCHNELLER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2013

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great solemnity to share 
with you the recent death of Richard Schneller.
  Richard ``Dick'' Schneller, a tireless Connecticut resident who 
celebrated his 90th birthday just last March, leaves behind a storied 
life of service to his family, his state, and his country. A native of 
Essex, Dick attended Mount Hermon School and went on to receive a 
Bachelor of Science degree from Yale University in 1943. Following 
graduation, Dick served his country with the United Sates Navy as a 
Lieutenant and participated in several South Pacific D-Day island 
invasions. After his military discharge, Dick applied his skills to his 
family's business, becoming President of The Verplex Company in 1952 
and serving until 1972.
  Dick proudly served his community and his government as a five-term 
State Senator representing Connecticut's 20th Senatorial district. From 
the time he entered the State Senate in 1975 until his departure in 
1984, Dick maintained a fierce dedication to service of his state and 
his community. As a State Senator, Dick served successively on a number 
of committees, including the Education Committee and the Appropriations 
Committee. He served as chairman of the State Urban and Development 
Committee. Dick also held the title of Senate Majority Leader for the 
final three years of his tenure in the State Senate.
  In addition to his commitment to the betterment of Connecticut 
government, Dick also played significant administrative roles in a 
broad range of local institutions. In his home town of Essex, Dick 
served for seven years as Chairman of the Essex Democratic Town 
Committee, was a member of the Essex Board of Finance, and was a member 
and chairman of the Regional District #4 Board of Education. He was 
also Charter President of the Essex Rotary Club and Founding Treasurer 
of the Essex Community Fund. Some of his other involvements in local 
organizations include his work as Trustee of the University of 
Connecticut, the Connecticut Conservation Association, Middlesex 
Hospital, Connecticut College, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Mount St. 
John's School and the Middlesex County Y.M.C.A.. Dick proudly served as 
the President and Chairman on the Board of the Goodspeed Opera House.
  Dick recognized the importance and inherent value in serving in a 
community, through his commitment to service in government, and also 
through his devotion to his local congregation, the Congregation Beth 
Shalom, of which he was a lifelong member.
  On a personal note, Dick was a generous mentor for me and many others 
of a younger generation, serving in the Connecticut General Assembly. 
He imparted experience and good judgment to us all and was a great 
inspiration for those of us thinking about entering public service.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring the life 
and service of Dick Schneller, and sharing our condolences with the 
family he leaves behind.

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