Walt Schneider, a local legendary track coach, passed early this morning at Medical City Plano.
Schnieder was born Dec. 20, 1920, in New Mexico, He and his parents moved to Howe in 1935 and he graduated from Howe High School in 1938. After high school, he worked on a farm before joining the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Schneider joined the US Navy in May of 1942 during World War II. He worked on defense projects in Fort Huachuca where they built the first black military post for 6,000 recruits. While in the Navy, he spent 33 months overseas. Eight months were in American Samoa before being on the USS President Polk.
In 1950, he came to back Howe to help his dad put in a Grade A dairy. Schneider bought the family farm in the Bennett Road and Schneider Road area and later developed the land by building 13 homes. He moved four military barracks that were 2,500 square feet and bricked them and changed the entire structure and made homes from them. He helped out his family by making contractors out of six nephews that helped him construct homes.
Schneider’s hobby as a track coach began when his nine-year-old adopted daughter, Elaine, wanted to enter track meets. He entered her against boys since there was not a track team for girls in this area.
With Elaine’s success, Walt Schneider started to earn a reputation as someone who knew how to coach a girl in track. In 1965, he would have an opportunity that would change his life and a lot of young girls lives.
It was an infectious love and passion that created the seven-year story of The Roadrunners. And he did it all for free. He paid for everything and did it all on his own. He was a complete volunteer from the true essence of the word. He did it all because he loved it all.
The official obituary with funeral arrangements will be updated shortly. Waldo Funeral Home will be handling services and burial will take place at Akers Cemetery.