Richard H. Schnakenburg

He was born on March 21, 1924, in Evansville, Indiana, to the late Rudolph and Irene (Hebbeler) Schnakenburg. He graduated from Bosse High School in 1941 and attended Purdue University until he left to serve in the United States Army. He was a veteran of World War II and served in Burma during the war. After the war, he returned and graduated from Purdue University with a degree in electrical engineering. He went to work for Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Company and served the American Institute of Electrical Engineers as Indiana Subsection Chairman from 1959-60. He retired from S.I.G.E.CO./Vectren in 1987 as Director of Systems Engineering.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Patricia Weiss Schnakenburg, brother Edward, and grandson, John David.

Richard is survived by his three children, David Schnakenburg (Sherri) of Evansville, Linda Trible (Mike) of Mount Vernon, and Karen Schnakenburg of Evansville; grandchildren, Jennifer Emsweller (Chad), Brian Schnakenburg (Dedra) both of Evansville, Megan Trible of Indianapolis, and Scott Trible (Chandalyn) of Plano, Texas; seven great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Raised in St. Lucas United Church of Christ, Richard was a 70-plus year member of Central United Methodist Church and the FaHoLo Sunday School class. He was an active leader in the Combined United Church of Christ/United Methodist Church Men’s Lenten Breakfasts for many years.

Richard was raised a Master Mason in 1946 and served as Master of Evansville Lodge No. 64 in 1992. He received his 50-Year Membership Award from Evansville Lodge in 1996. He was awarded the Lodge 64 Masters Award, served on the Lodge Development Committee, served the Grand Lodge as Area Representative, and was an honorary member of Beulah Lodge No. 578. Richard took the degrees of the Scottish Rite in December 1957 and served as Commander-in-Chief of the Consistory of the Valley of Evansville from 1977-79. He received the 33rd Degree in Cleveland, Ohio in 1980 and the Double Eagle Award in 1997. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Evansville 32o Masonic Learning Center for Children for many years. He was active in the Walk for Dyslexia and served as Chairman several years. In 2007, Richard received his 50-year membership award from the Scottish Rite.

Richard was a member of Hadi Shriners and joined the Color Guard in 1963, serving as Captain in 1967. He received the prestigious Ditzer Award in 1978 and served as Director and Sergeant of the Color Guard for several years. He was awarded a Life Membership in 1991. Richard was President of the Uniformed Bodies in 1988 and served as a member of the temple Budget and Finance committee for several years.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Alexander Funeral Home, West Chapel, on Wednesday, May 29, the Reverend Dewey Miller of Central United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be at Alexander Memorial Park.

Friends may visit from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., on Tuesday, May 28, at Alexander West Funeral Home, 2100 West Illinois Street in Evansville, and from 9 a.m. until the start of the service on Wednesday. A Masonic memorial service will be conducted by Evansville Lodge No. 64 at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

The family would like to thank the kind and compassionate staff at West River Health Campus and Kindred Hospice for the excellent care Richard received.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children or the Central United Methodist Church Endowment Fund.