Gary Arthur Schnabel

Gary Arthur Schnabel, 74, passed away peacefully in his Salem home on November 5, 2022, with his wife, Tammy, by his side. Gary was born on September 27, 1948, in Lewiston, Idaho, to Phil and Joyce Schnabel. He joined his older brother, Craig. Craig and Gary were good buddies, but Gary was not alone with Craig for very long. Three sisters and two more brothers joined the family at regular intervals and forever changed Gary’s life as he knew it. One of Gary’s sisters remembers breaking his hand-constructed model airplanes and cars just after admonishing herself with “No, no, Joanie!.” Another sister remembers trying to distract Gary with loud whispers of “HI GARY!” during Sunday Mass when he was serving as alter boy. Gary was a very patient big brother and adored by his younger siblings.

Gary’s family moved to St. Helens, Oregon when Gary was pre-school age. There he survived eight years at St. Frederic Catholic School and then spent the remainder of his life recovering. When Gary was in high school, his family moved to Port Townsend, Washington, where Gary graduated from high school in 1966. Port Townsend was one of his favorite places on earth.

Gary received an ADN-nursing in 1976 from Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon, and later was a pre-dentistry student at the University of Oregon. (The Oregon Ducks are still his favorite!) As a registered nurse, Gary provided summer in-home care for U.S. Supreme Court Justice, William O. Douglas, at Justice Douglas’ Goose Prairie, Washington ranch. Gary’s nursing career also included time as a hospital psychiatric unit supervisor and emergency department staff nurse.

In 1985, Gary earned his bachelor of science degree in pharmacy from Oregon State University. Gary’s pharmacy career focused on home intravenous services, long-term care dispensing and consulting. Later in his career, Gary was Compliance Director for the Oregon Board of Pharmacy and then served as the Board’s Executive Director.

Gary met the love of his life, Tammy Murray, in 1990, and they married on July 11, 1992. Gary and Tammy loved traveling and seeing the world, especially on cruise ships, Gary’s final wish was to take one more cruise, and in mid-October, Gary’s wish came true when he cruised Alaska’s inland passage with Tammy, his mother-in-law, Kay, his brother, Joe and his sister, Mary.

Gary loved his close-knit siblings, nieces and nephews, and each one also loved Gary very much. Gary had a very special place in his heart for his “better than a daughter” daughter, Alex McFadden.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Phil and Joyce Schnabel, and his younger brother, Stephen Philip Schnabel. Gary is survived by his wife of thirty years, Tammy. Gary also is survived by his three brothers and their spouses: Craig and Irene, Joseph and Judy, Michael and Julie; three sisters and their spouses: Carol and Wes, Joan and Dave, Mary and Barry; thirteen nieces and nephews: Brady, Zach, Jeff, Kristina, Susannah, Kate, Ellie, Zephie, Aaron, Kyle, Holly, Annie and Lila; seven great nieces and nephews: Cassie, Seth, Natalie, Jameson, Robyn, Kellan, and Kallie; and one great-great nephew: Gus.

Gary, we love you and miss you so much. Until we meet again, we will tell stories, laugh and cry about all of the special times we have shared with you. You will always be in our thoughts and on our hearts.

Donations may be sent in Gary’s memory to the American Cancer Society.