Robert Schnelle

On Sunday, November 22, 2020, Robert G. Schnelle, loving father of three children, passed away at age 89.

Bob was born on April 17, 1931 in Boston, Massachusetts to Dr. Gerry and Helene (Alenty) Schnelle, and spent his childhood in Front Royal, VA, Needham, MA and Framingham, MA. He earned a BA degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1953, after which he served in the U.S. Army in Japan from 1953-56. He later earned an MEd degree in Education, also from the University of Pennsylvania.

Bob was married to Nancy Pennypacker of Newton, Massachusetts from 1954 to 1967. Together they raised two daughters, Christine and Lisette, and one son, Robert Jr. Bob worked in the Graduate Placement Office at Penn State University, and taught at a variety of public and private high schools. In later years, Bob worked as a carpenter in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. He retired to Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 2004.

Bob enjoyed gardening, cycling, square dancing, trains and reading history. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. He also studied basketry with Jose Reyes, the originator of the Nantucket Friendship basket, and master basket maker John McGuire.

Robert Schnelle was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara S. Orton of Lewes, Delaware, in 2019. He is survived by his children and three grandchildren, Emily Carter, Nell Larkin and Erik Schnelle. No funeral services will be held; instead, Bob’s ashes will be spread at a meaningful location at a later date. Donations may be sent to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.