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Nov 02, 2015
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Morris Schneider, who served the College of Engineering for nearly six decades (including more than 40 years as a faculty member and administrator), died October 28 at age 91.
From 1986 to his retirement in 1993, Schneider was an associate dean of the college and served a short term as interim dean. He was instrumental in starting the Industrial and Management Systems Engineering Department and served as its first chair from 1970-86. There, he was a catalyst in creating graduate programs.
Born November 26, 1923 in Sutton, Nebraska, Schneider graduated from high school in 1941 and joined the United States Army, where he served as a tech sergeant with the Army Corps of Engineers. He served with the 41st Infantry Division in the Pacific theater during World War II, taking part in three island invasions and earning the Legion of Merit.
Schneider began his career at UNL as a student, graduating in 1951 with a degree in education and later earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering.
After graduating, Schneider began teaching the introductory mechanical engineering course to 350 students in the Richards Hall auditorium and leading lab sessions that introduced students to foundry work.
He was also active in the annual E-Week activities in the 1950s and ’60s, which regularly drew thousands of guests to campus.
After his retirement, Schneider maintained an active affiliation with the college by volunteering to teach classes, mentor engineering students, assist with graduation checks and help with recruitment efforts. Schneider also established two endowed scholarships for mechanical and industrial engineering students.
Before leaving the college in 2008, Schneider co-taught a senior design course in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering and helped teams from that course align with industry.
Schneider was honored in 2010 with UNL’s Doc Elliot Award, given to a retired UNL faculty or staff member who has exhibited a record of exemplary service, has made a difference in the lives of students and alumni and has gone beyond traditional expectations. Schneider was nominated for the award by his colleagues.
Schneider is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marilyn and his daughter, Debbie Haun, among many family members.
From 1986 to his retirement in 1993, Schneider was an associate dean of the college and served a short term as interim dean. He was instrumental in starting the Industrial and Management Systems Engineering Department and served as its first chair from 1970-86. There, he was a catalyst in creating graduate programs.
Born November 26, 1923 in Sutton, Nebraska, Schneider graduated from high school in 1941 and joined the United States Army, where he served as a tech sergeant with the Army Corps of Engineers. He served with the 41st Infantry Division in the Pacific theater during World War II, taking part in three island invasions and earning the Legion of Merit.
Schneider began his career at UNL as a student, graduating in 1951 with a degree in education and later earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering.
After graduating, Schneider began teaching the introductory mechanical engineering course to 350 students in the Richards Hall auditorium and leading lab sessions that introduced students to foundry work.
He was also active in the annual E-Week activities in the 1950s and ’60s, which regularly drew thousands of guests to campus.
After his retirement, Schneider maintained an active affiliation with the college by volunteering to teach classes, mentor engineering students, assist with graduation checks and help with recruitment efforts. Schneider also established two endowed scholarships for mechanical and industrial engineering students.
Before leaving the college in 2008, Schneider co-taught a senior design course in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering and helped teams from that course align with industry.
Schneider was honored in 2010 with UNL’s Doc Elliot Award, given to a retired UNL faculty or staff member who has exhibited a record of exemplary service, has made a difference in the lives of students and alumni and has gone beyond traditional expectations. Schneider was nominated for the award by his colleagues.
Schneider is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marilyn and his daughter, Debbie Haun, among many family members.
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