2011 Assembly Joint Resolution 97
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: honoring the life and achievements of Donald J. Schneider.
Whereas, Donald “Don" Schneider, passed away on Friday, January 13, 2012, at the age of 76 in Green Bay, Wisconsin; and
Whereas, Don Schneider was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on October 19, 1935, and attended Catholic Central High School and graduated from St. Norbert College with a degree in business and earned his master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business; and
Whereas, Don Schneider married his wife of 54 years, Patricia “Pat" O'Brien, at St. Patrick's Church in Green Bay in 1957; and
Whereas, Don Schneider served a 13-month tour of duty in Korea with the U.S. Army; and
Whereas, Don Schneider joined his father's trucking company, Schneider Transport & Storage and also taught finance at St. Norbert College; and
Whereas, in 1976 he assumed leadership of his father's company and served as president and CEO until 2002 and Chairman Emeritus until his death; and
Whereas, even as CEO, he was seen wearing blue jeans and a denim shirt and was known to associates simply as “Don"; and
Whereas, Don Schneider grew the company by being a leader in innovation and hard work that provided jobs to thousands of hard-working employees, and under his leadership the fast growing company began calling itself “Big Orange"; and
Whereas, he created the Schneider National Foundation in 1982, which has donated millions of dollars and thousands of volunteer hours to charities in need, and he served as chair of the capital campaign for Notre Dame Academy, chair of the annual campaign for United Way of Brown County, and chairman of the Catholic High School Foundation, while the Schneider family provided the lead gift for the St. Norbert Athletic Stadium; and
Whereas, Don Schneider shared his time and talents as chairman of the Business Advisory Committee for Northwestern University's Transportation Center, a member of the Advisory Board for the Kellogg School of Management, a director on the Federal Reserve Board in Chicago, a member of the Board of Directors at Fort Howard Paper Company and Franklin Electric, a member of the Board and Executive Committee of the Green Bay Packers, and a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Norbert College; and
Whereas, Don Schneider touched the lives of countless people during his lifetime, helping to transform a small trucking company into a world leader; and
Whereas, Don Schneider will be deeply missed by his wife, Pat, his five children, Mary, Therese, Thomas, Kathleen, and Paul, 13 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and members of the Schneider National family around the world, and by all who were fortunate enough to meet him; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature honor Don Schneider for his service, vision, and leadership in transforming the trucking industry, his charitable works, and his impact on the lives of so many, express their sorrow over his passing, and extend their condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to Don Schneider's wife, Pat, and his children, Mary DePrey, Therese Koller, Thomas Schneider, Kathleen Zimmermann, and Paul Schneider.
