It is with tremendous sadness that the TLA informs you of the loss of our dear friend and brother, David Bernard Schneider, who passed away on February 9, 2020 surrounded by family and loved ones. David was born on March 9, 1944 in Galveston, Texas to Gertrude and Morris Schneider. After graduating high school in Texas City, he attended the University of Texas where he received a BS in Business Administration in 1966, followed by a JD from the University of Texas School of Law in 1969. While at U.T., he met the love of his life, Ronnie Jean Gottlieb Schneider, to whom he was married for over 30 years before her passing in 1999. After leaving Austin, David moved to Washington DC where he worked for the Interstate Commerce Commission and then moved to Kansas City where he was counsel for Yellow Freight. In 1978, David relocated to Oklahoma City where he established himself as a leading attorney serving the transportation industry and practiced for over 40 years.
David was very active in professional and local charitable organizations throughout his life. He was a past President of the Transportation Lawyers Association from 1996-1997, a Distinguished Service Award Recipient in 1999, and a Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient in 2010. David also received the well-deserved TLA Bullshippers’ Award in 2000, which he cherished greatly. David was also an active board member for the Jewish Federation of Oklahoma City, St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation, Temple B’nai Israel, and Emanuel Synagogue.
David embraced life with an unwavering confidence, humor, and occasional irreverence, demonstrated in part by how he set up office outside of TLA meeting rooms and held court. He will be remembered for his steadfast dedication to Jewish values, passion for burnt orange Texas-inspired garb (including shirts, sweaters, cuff links and ties), his unique dancing skills, and generosity beyond his means. Most of all he was resilient. His life was occasionally filled with obstacles and challenges, but he always seemed to adapt and flourish with change. After Ronnie’s death in 1999, he found himself amidst a community supported not only by old friends, but he found ways to move forward and establish new friendships and loving relationships which brought him incredible joy in life.
David is survived by his children, Jerome and Michelle, and his five loving grandchildren – Rowan, Hayden, Trey, Icelie, and Abby – all of whom had a very special place in his heart. If you are so inclined, please make donations in David’s memory to the Jewish Federation of Oklahoma City. TLA extends its deepest sympathies to Jerome, Michelle and David’s grandchildren, and well as his friends of which there were many. May he rest in peace until we meet again to enjoy another cigar and story with him.